Basilica di Santa Trinita — Attraction in Florence

Santa Trinita (pronounced [ˈsanta ˈtriːnita]; Italian for "Holy Trinity") is a Roman Catholic church located in front of the Piazza of the same name, traversed by Via de' Tornabuoni, in central Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is the mother church of the Vallumbrosan Order of monks, founded in 1092 by a Florentine nobleman. South on Via de' Tornabuoni is the Ponte Santa Trinita over the river Arno; across the street is the Palazzo Spini Feroni.

The church is home to the Sassetti Chapel, containing 15th-century frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio, and the Bartolini Salimbeni Chapel, with frescoes by Lorenzo Monaco.

Even though the modern Italian word for "trinity" is trinità, with an accent indicating stress on the last vowel, the old Florentine pronunciation used to put the stress on the first vowel, and the name is therefore written without an accent; sometimes, it is accented as trìnita to indicate the unusual pronunciation.

The current church was constructed in 1258–1280 at the site of a pre-existing 11th-century church. Multiple reconstructions occurred over the centuries. The Mannerist façade (1593–1594) was designed by Bernardo Buontalenti. The bas-relief over the central door of the Trinity was sculpted by Pietro Bernini and Giovanni Battista Caccini. The 17th-century wooden doors have carved panels depicting Saints of the Vallumbrosan order. The Column of Justice (Colonna di Giustizia) in the Piazza outside, originates from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, and was a gift to Cosimo I de' Medici by Pope Pius IV. It was erected in 1565 to commemorate the Battle of Montemurlo in which Florence defeated Siena.

The Santa Trinita Maestà by Cimabue was once at the high altar of the church, and was later moved to a side chapel. It is now exhibited at the Uffizi.

The church has approximately 20 chapels, many with masterworks. The most significant are the Sassetti and the Bartolini Salimbeni chapels. Francesco Sassetti had been a manager of the Medici Bank, and some of the Ghirlandaio frescoes capture views of...

Basilica di Santa Trinita – A Hidden Gem of Florence’s Art and History

Nestled along the Arno River in the heart of Florence, the Basilica di Santa Trinita is one of the city’s more understated treasures. While it may not be as well-known as the Duomo or Santa Maria Novella, this beautiful church is home to some incredible art and fascinating history, making it well worth a visit.

One of the most captivating aspects of Santa Trinita is its famous frescoes. The church’s transept features a series of exquisite works by Ghirlandaio, including the “Boy with a Ball” fresco—a charming and intriguing piece that captures the spirit of the Renaissance with its detailed depiction of a young boy holding a ball, symbolizing innocence and youthful vitality. This fresco, along with others in the church, offers a glimpse into the richness of Florence’s artistic legacy.

The church also boasts stunning Gothic architecture, with a serene, peaceful interior that is perfect for quiet reflection. The chapels are adorned with beautiful altarpieces, and there’s a particular sense of tranquility that makes it an ideal place to take in the art and history of the space without the usual crowds.

Key Facts: • The church dates back to 1250 and is one of the oldest in Florence. • It houses works by Ghirlandaio and Filippo Lippi, two of the Renaissance’s greatest painters. • The side chapels contain remarkable altarpieces and frescoes that highlight Florence’s religious and artistic heritage.

For those looking to explore Florence beyond the main tourist attractions, Santa Trinita is a hidden gem. The combination of breathtaking frescoes, serene atmosphere, and historical significance makes it a delightful and enriching stop in this...

Basilica di Santa Trinita's history dates back to the 11th century. Originally Romanesque in style. Late 13th and early 14th-century church expansion and reconstructions gave the church Gothic characteristics, while the Mannerist facade by Bernardo Buontalenti was added in 1593-94.

Within the basilica, you will find a Gothic layout with a central nave, ceiling vaults, side aisles with dimly lit chapels. Several chapels have illumination machines, allowing you to add light for 1 or 2 euros for a few minutes.

This affords considerably better viewing of various artworks and frescos, none more impressive than the Sassetti Chapel where you see the Life of St. Francis and prophecies of Christ's Birth frescos (1482-85) and Adoration of the Magi altarpiece (1485) by Florentine Renaissance Master Domenico Ghirlandaio. There are other very nice works within various other chapels but the Sasseti Chapel was the highlight for us.

There is a small crypt that you can enter as well, requiring euro coin to provide light for you to see down below. The machine was not operational on the day so entrance possible at that time unfortunately.

Note: The attendant near the church entrance has Euro coins if you need to exchange notes so you've some coins to feed the various chapel illumination machines setup...