Church of Santa Maria Novella (Santa Maria Novella) description and photos - Italy: Florence (Topic)

Church of Santa Maria Novella description and photos - Italy: Florence. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Santa Maria Novella.

Photo and description

The Church of Santa Maria Novella was conceived and built by the Dominican monks Sisto da Firenze and Ristoro da Campi. Construction began in 1246 on the site of the 10th century Dominican chapel of Santa Maria delle Vine. In 1279, the naves were completed, and in the second half of the 14th century, Jacopo Talenti completed the Bell Tower and the Sacristia. The beautiful facade of the church is the result of a redesign undertaken by Leon Battista Alberti in the years 1456-1470. The talented architect created a magnificent portal and the entire upper part of the church with its clear rhythm of squares inlaid with marble.

The interior of the church is divided into three naves by pillars in the form of a bunch of columns that support huge arches with pointed vaults. The interior was renovated in the 16th century. This church contains many works of art of the XIV-XVI centuries by such masters as Vasari, Ghirlandaio, Brunelleschi, Giuliano da Sangallo, Rossellino, Ghiberti and many others.

Through the lattice gates you can go to the Romanesque Monastery Courtyard (1350 g.) and further to the Big Monastery, surrounded by arched walls, which were painted by Florentine artists of the 15th and 16th centuries. The green courtyard got its name from the green background of the Uccelo frescoes, badly damaged during the flood of 1966.

The Hall of the Chapter of the Monastery (Spanish Chapel) is a brilliant creation of Jacopo Talenti (1359). This chapel was intended for church services, which were attended by Eleanor Toledskaya, wife of Cosimo I, with her retinue. The chapel is decorated with frescoes by Andrea di Buonayuto (mid-14th century).

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Topic: Church of Santa Maria Novella (Santa Maria Novella) description and photos - Italy: Florence.