Cappella Bardi of Santa Maria Novella, Bardi Family Chapel in Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy
The Cappella Bardi is a prayer space within the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella featuring two sections covered by cross-vaults. The interior is lit by refined stained glass windows that cast colored light, while frescoes on the walls depict religious scenes.
This chapel traces its roots to Gulaterotto de' Bardi's will from 1331, which instructed his family to build a prayer space. His son Piero brought the vision to life by commissioning artists to decorate the interior.
The chapel honors Saint Louis of Toulouse, a figure deeply tied to the Bardi family's identity and beliefs. Walking through, you sense how this merchant family used sacred space to express their devotion to saints connected to European royalty.
The chapel is set apart from the main basilica hall by a decorative iron barrier, allowing visitors to view it from outside. The frescoes and windows are best seen in daylight, so plan your visit during the basilica's open hours.
The stained glass window was crafted between 1332 and 1336 and depicts saints connected to Hungarian and Neapolitan royal families. This window links Florentine craftsmanship to the European ruling houses that mattered most to the Bardi family.
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