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.
Construction began in 1246 when Dominicans expanded and transformed an older 9th-century church. The facade was completed only in the 15th century by Leon Battista Alberti, who added classical elements.
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.
The cloister contains an old pharmacy laboratory that was operated by monks from the 16th century and still sells herbal soaps and perfumes today. Visitors can see the glass vessels and distilling equipment once used to prepare remedies.
Location: Florence
Inception: 1278
Architects: Leon Battista Alberti, Jacopo Passavanti, Fra' Ristoro da Campi
Architectural style: Gothic architecture, Renaissance architecture
Length: 99.2 m
Width: 28.2 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: cloistre Santa Maria Novella, Fondo Edifici di Culto
Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 09:00-17:30; Friday 11:00-17:30; Saturday 09:00-17:30; Sunday 13:00-17:30
Phone: +39055219257
Email: info@smn.it
Website: https://smn.it
GPS coordinates: 43.77430,11.24937
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03
Florence displays Renaissance architecture and art at every street corner. The city features 15th-century buildings, churches with marble facades, and museums with old master paintings. The Arno River divides the city while Ponte Vecchio spans across. From the hills, views extend over the red roofs and the cathedral dome.
The cultural monuments and institutions of Tuscany include the cathedrals, museums, squares, and architectural sites of Florence, Pisa, and Siena. The region features medieval buildings like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, major museums such as the Uffizi Gallery, and historic squares like the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Religious buildings include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and the Cathedral of Siena with their distinctive architectures.
Holy Trinity
23 m
Santa Maria Novella Crucifix by Giotto
67 m
Tornabuoni Chapel
92 m
Spanish chapelle
72 m
Museo Novecento
147 m
Chapel of Filippo Strozzi
91 m
Chiostro Verde
50 m
Rucellai chapel
82 m
Cappella Strozzi di Mantova of Santa Maria Novella
81 m
Museo Nazionale Alinari della Fotografia
106 m
Chiostro Grande of Santa Maria Novella
113 m
Cappella Bardi of Santa Maria Novella
89 m
Gondi Chapel
84 m
Birth of Mary
92 m
Grand Hotel Majestic
165 m
Cappella dei Papi in Santa Maria Novella in Florence
141 m
Grand Hotel Minerva
58 m
Palazzo dei Cartelloni
218 m
Chiostro dei Morti
82 m
Cappella Gaddi in Santa Maria Novella
84 m
Cappella dell'Annunciazione
75 m
Palazzo Arrighetti-Gaddi
188 m
Santa Maria Novella - Vestry
91 m
Palazzo Mondragone
150 m
Palazzo dei Cerretani
141 m
Palazzo Dal Borgo
110 m
Oratorio dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo
122 m
Teatro della Piazza vecchia
151 mReviews
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