Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Gothic and Renaissance basilica in Historic Centre of Florence, Italy
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is a large church building in the historic center of Florence, Italy, that belonged to Dominican preaching friars. The facade displays geometric patterns in white and green marble, while the length of about 99 meters encompasses several side chapels, cloisters and a Spanish chapel.
The Dominicans received the small church of Santa Maria delle Vigne in 1221 and began a new, larger church in 1242; indulgences for contributors were granted from 1246. The nave was finished by the mid-14th century, and Pope Martin V consecrated the church in 1420. Giovanni Rucellai commissioned Leon Battista Alberti to complete the facade in white and dark green Prato marble, finished in 1470.
The name Santa Maria Novella dates back to the 13th century, when Dominicans built their new church here as distinct from older structures. Today believers attend mass while visitors enter chapels and view frescoes commissioned by Florentine families over centuries of patronage.
The basilica opens daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, with admission that also grants access to the cloisters and Spanish Chapel. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the complex covers multiple levels and courtyards that require walking to explore.
In 1572 Cosimo I's astronomer Ignazio Danti fitted an armillary sphere and an astronomical quadrant with gnomon onto the end blind arches of the lower facade. The sphere served to fix the vernal equinox, publicly observed in 1574, and the gnomon's shadows told time by three methods. Danti also pierced the south-facing round window at a height of 21 metres and laid a meridian line on the floor.
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