Santa Maria Novella Square in Florence

Piazza Santa Maria Novella, one of the most impressive squares of the city, has been the home of the Dominican comunity since the early XIII c. The arrival of the mendicant orders was a very important moment for the developement of the city: the domincans settled here, on the western part of the city, slightly outside the city walls in this area which was known as “Saint Mary of the Vines”, and also gave the name to the small church that stood facing east, the Fanciscans on the eastern side in S. Croce and, on the other side of the river Arno, the Augustinians along with the Carmelites in S. Spirito and Santa Maria del Carmine respectively.


The congregation gathered outside, in front of the church, in a square like this to listen to the preachers that arrived in town. Their message of hope and contrition was delivered in Italian instead of Latin so that it could be understood by all. The construction of Santa Maria Novella began in the mid XIV c. and is one of the finest exaples of Italian gothic architecture in Florence. The façade of white and green marble, typical of the most important churches and basilicas of the city, is a exquisite example of Renaissance art. It had remained unfinished for nearly seventy years until Giovanni Rucellai, a rich cloth merchant and member of one of the most prominent families of Florence, financed its completion.

Concieved by the architect Leon Battista Alberti, he was able to incorporate seamlessly the new language of the Renaissance into the unfinished gothic façade.
During the Renaissance the wealthy families used to spend lavishly to decorate and refurbish churches, build palaces and monuments that remained a statement of the glory of Florence and also to establish themselves amongst the benefactors of the city.

Professional and authorized guides planning guided visits in Florence could help you to discover all the marvels of the city, during your holiday in Tuscany.