Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

"Just as Santa Croce is linked to the Franciscan order, Santa Maria Novella is linked to the Dominican order. In 1221, the monks of this order acquired the Church of Santa Maria delle Vigne (Saint Mary of the Vines), so called because at that time the area was located outside the city walls and was surrounded by fields. The church was renovated in the mid-14th century, including the adjacent convent, but it was not consecrated until 1420. In that century, the Rucellai family took an interest in the building and commissioned the famous architect Leon Battista Alberti to finish the façade. Alberti incorporated the new Renaissance into the old Gothic structure, managing to maintain a certain harmony between the two styles. In fact, this is the only original Renaissance work that can be admired in the city. Almost a century later, in the second half of the 16th century, Giorgio Vasari left his mark on the church, adapting it to the tastes of the time. The church has been restored several times over the centuries and the façade, although it is one of the most important works of Florentine Renaissance architecture, was only completed in 1920, when the vault, the only part that was incomplete, was completed."

"Basilica di Santa Maria Novella is one of Florence's big four churches. Santa Maria Novella is located directly in front of Florence's main train station. There is a large piazza located in front of the basilica, where you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy a scoop of gelato. Admission into the church is free."

"Designed by the legendary architect Leon Battista Alberti, the church is a prime example of Renaissance architecture. The interior houses works such as Masaccio's “Trinity” and frescoes by Filippino Lippi. "