February the 13th, 2025 | We all know that Florence is famous for its Duomo and, in particular, for Brunelleschi’s Dome. But Florence overflows with churches scattered mainly in the city centre. In fact, there are several sacred places to visit in Florence, that you won’t believe are woth a stop…
Here’s an itinerary that will allow you to visit the most fascinating churches in Florence, besides the world-famous Duomo.
STOP 1 – Basilica di Santa Maria Novella (“Church of Santa Maria Novella”)
Our tour of sacred places begins at the Santa Maria Novella station. Walking towards the Duomo, next to Piazza dell’Unità Italiana (“Dell’Unità Italiana Square”), you can find this majestic church. This is one of the most important Gothic-style churches in Tuscany.
Get inside and don’t miss the Masaccio‘s Trinity, the Ghirlandaio‘s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel and Giotto‘s Crucifix.
STOP 2 – Basilica di San Lorenzo (“Church of San Lorenzo”)
Just 5 minutes away on foot, reach the second stop on this tour: taking Via del Giglio (“del Giglio Street”), you will get at the former cathedral of Florence. This cathedral has been active for about 300 years, but this church has always been appreciated by the community as it was the parish church of the Medici family.
The facade, despite being pretty bare, has so much to tell as well as the Cloisters, the basement with the treasure of San Lorenzo, and the stunning Laurentian Library.
If you have planned a visit to the Cappelle Medicee (“Medici Chapels”), carve out some extra time to also visit this Basilica which is located right behind the Chapels!
STOP 3 – SS. Annunziata of Florence
From the previous stop, take Via Pucci (“Pucci Street”) and turn into Via dei Servi (“dei Servi street”), named after the Ordine dei Servi di Maria (“Order of the Servants of Mary”), who founded this Church in 1250.
Initially called the Basilica dei Servi di Cafaggio, it changed its name following a miracle whereby the face of the Santissima Annunziata was painted by an Angel during a nap of the painter Bartolomeo, who was unable to create this part of the fresco.
In the same square you will find the Spedale degli Innocenti, with its Museum, one of the first orphanages in Europe, founded in 1419. This building was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and it is a Renaissance masterpiece. Today it is home to museums and cultural initiatives.
For a coffee break with a view, reach the Caffè del Verone on the top floor.
STOP 4 – Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli (“Church of the Holy Apostles”)
(No one really knows this one!)
Going through the center, before crossing the Arno, make a small detour to reach Piazza del Limbo, so called because in ancient times it housed a cemetery for children who died before being baptized.
Here is the Church of the Holy Apostles, hidden and “wedged” among other buildings. Already mentioned on some documents in 1075, it is handed down that this church was founded in 800 AC by Charlemagne.
Despite its small size, its archaic Romanesque style has served as an example for many other Florentine churches.
In the first part of the left aisle there is a small niche that holds the stones brought from the Holy Land after the First Crusade, with which on Easter Day each year the fire that ignites the colombina is solemnly lit for the traditional bursting of the chariot in the Piazza del Duomo.
STOP 5 – Basilica di Santo Spirito (“Santo Spirito Church”)
Walking along the Ponte Santa Trinita, here we are in the Oltrarno area, where there is a church that is architecturally the most majestic of the 15th century. The Basilica di Santo Spirito is considered a masterpiece by Brunelleschi.
Michelangelo in his youth lived here, where he studied human anatomy. In this period he realised his famous wooden scultpure of a Crucifix, the Crocifisso Ligneo, dedicated to the Prior of Santo Spirito
Admission to the Basilica is free and the ticket to access the Augustinian Route is only 2€.
STOP 6 – Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte (“Abbey of San Miniato al Monte”)
We move away from the center to one of the highest spots in the city. This abbey was built to house the relics of San Miniato.
Once at the top, you will find the basilica with a facade that is nothing short of stunning! In fact, it represents one of the finest examples of Florentine Romanesque, built around the 11th century.
The Monumental Cemetery of Florence is located next to the Abbey and is a place of great historical and artistic beauty worth visiting. This cemetery contains the graves of Florence’s most illustrious figures such as Carlo Lorenzini (Collodi), Vasco Pratolini, Giovanni Papini, and Libero Andreotti.
The many steps are easily forgiven not only for the beauty of the Abbey and the monumental cemetery, but also for the view of Florence, which is nothing short of breathtaking…
Did you know these sacred places to visit in Florence?
Visits and tickets:
– Basilica di Santa Maria Novella , also with FirenzeCard
– Basilica di San Lorenzo , also with FirenzeCard
