Basilica of Santa Maria Novella — Attraction in Florence

In addition to the many magnificent works in this city, this church stands out for its beauty and significance. Architecturally, it is one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany. Impressed us the wealth of works of art that adorn the church. The church, the adjoining cloister, and chapter house contain a multiplicity of art treasures and funerary monuments. Especially famous are frescoes by masters of Gothic and early Renaissance. They were financed by the most important Florentine families, who ensured themselves funerary chapels on consecrated ground. It is the first great basilica in Florence, and is the city's principal Dominican church. The basilica and adjoining cloister were built by the Dominican Order in the 13th century, starting with the small Church of Santa Maria delle Vigne, called this because of the countryside which surrounded it at the time. The church was designed by two Dominican friars, Fra Sisto Fiorentino and Fra Ristoro da Campi. The lower part of the marble facade, which is Romanesque in style, is believed to have been executed by a Dominican architect, Fra Iacopo Talenti da Nipozzano, while the upper part was completed only 100 years later in 1470 by Leon Battista Alberti. He was already famous as the architect of the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini. The interesting thing is that the facade is not only the oldest of all the churches in Florence but it is also the only church with its original, planned facade still in place today. Inside, the church is vast and looks even longer than it is thanks to the clever coloring of the central arches. The layout is supposed to be work of Brunelleschi, the same architect of the Duomo's cupola. The inside of the church, the first example of Gothic architecture in Florence, is a treasure trove of artwork. Starting with Masaccio’s 1424 Holy Trinity, the fresco in which he experimented with perspective for the first time, thus becoming the pinnacle of Renaissance art, followed by, at the end of the nave, Giotto’s great Crucifix from 1290 stands at a striking height of 4.5 metres and is one of the spectacular pieces from the artist’s earlier works. In the Strozzi Chapel, there are Filippino Lippi’s frescoes which depict the life of Saint John the Evangelist, while the Tornabuoni Chapel is decorated with a fresco depicting moments from the life of the Virgin Mary and Saint John by Domenico Ghirlandaio. Also noteworthy are a nativity scene, painted by Sandro Botticelli near the start of his career, and Filippo Brunelleschi’s Crucifix in the Gondi Chapel, the only of his sculptures to be...

Enticed by the exterior we decided to enter the Santa Maria Novella. I had heard about it in my art history classes, but my experience was extremely disappointing and frankly ruined my visit. There was a long queue that we had to stand in for 15 minutes, which you don't experience in any other church (other than the Duomo). The entire time the queue stank of sewage, so bad that we almost considered leaving, but we were still optimistic about what was inside. We found the queue took so long due to the awful, clunky ticketing system, massively overcomplicated compared to other churches. There was one person selling tickets who did not speak any English and just yelled at us in Italian, which is outrageous when you consider that the majority of tourists are non native Italians. The signs are false (in English at least) you cannot get a reduced ticket if you are 18, while it explicitly says all adult tickets are for 19+, and we could not explain this to the ticketing woman as she spoke no English and continued shouting in Italian. Entering the church, there is a staff member who picks and chooses who they think is dressed appropriately. Young women are made to wear hot blue coverings, while there were large groups of older women we saw with no coverings - frankly misogynist, outdated, uncomfortable and creepy. At least these are provided for free but they are ridiculous. The Holy Trinity - which I was very excited to see as a seminal piece of renaissance art - is currently covered by scaffolding for restoration, it says this on their website but not on signage before entry. There are about 5 steps leading up to see the painting, but there is another rude staff member charging €1,50 to go up them! Absolutely absurd on top of the scam of an entrance fee. Even the courtyard has a huge stage in it, ruining the experience of the significant architecture. It is so disappointing to see a church this important unapologetically scamming their visitors with false signs and unnecessary charges. It's good to look at from the exterior, and has some interesting features inside, such as the stained glass and the altarpiece, but my experience was tainted by the rude workers and extortionate scams. Also the museum is underwhelming and has nothing really of importance Go to the Santa Croce or the Great Synagogue for a better experience, I hope one of the officials reads this and gets their act together so everyone can appreciate the art of the renaissance in...

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence is a beloved destination for art and history enthusiasts, offering a quieter alternative to some of the city's busier landmarks. Here’s a review based on what visitors typically praise:

Magnificent Facade: The basilica’s Renaissance facade designed by Leon Battista Alberti is a masterpiece of symmetry and proportion, blending Gothic and early Renaissance elements beautifully.

Stunning Interior: The church's interior is home to significant artworks, including Masaccio's Holy Trinity, Filippo Brunelleschi's crucifix, and frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio. Visitors are often awestruck by the quality and preservation of these works.

Peaceful Atmosphere: Compared to more crowded sites like the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella offers a more serene and contemplative environment, allowing visitors to appreciate its art and architecture in a peaceful setting.

Cloisters and Museum: The adjacent cloisters and museum house more treasures, including frescoes by Paolo Uccello. The Green Cloister and Spanish Chapel are often noted for their beauty and rich history, providing a fascinating glimpse into Florentine religious life.

Historical Importance: The basilica played a significant role in the city’s history, being one of the first great basilicas in Florence. It's also closely tied to the Dominican Order and has been a center for religious and intellectual activity.

Accessibility: Located near the main train station, it’s one of the first landmarks visitors encounter upon arriving in Florence, making it convenient to visit.

Things to Consider: Entrance Fee: Unlike some other churches in Florence, there’s an entrance fee to access the basilica, cloisters, and museum. Some visitors recommend buying a combined ticket that includes multiple attractions.

Less Known but Worth the Visit: While not as famous as the Duomo or Uffizi Gallery, Santa Maria Novella is often described as a hidden gem. Some travelers advise dedicating time to this basilica for a more intimate experience with Florence's art and architecture.

Overall, Basilica Santa Maria Novella offers a mix of artistic, historical, and spiritual experiences that appeal to those looking for a quieter, yet equally enriching part of Florence's...