Demidoff Chapel of San Donato

The Demidoff Chapel of San Donato is a neoclassical church building in Florence featuring a central oculus and classical portico entrance inspired by the Roman Pantheon design. The interior contains a complete iconostasis with small religious icons, displaying both Orthodox and Western Christian elements in its architectural layout.

Built in 1831 by Russian noble Anatoly Nikolaievich Demidov, the chapel originally functioned as a private Orthodox worship space for the Villa San Donato estate. This foundation reflects the historical connection between Russian aristocracy and Florentine society during the 19th century.

Religious artwork by V. V. Vasilyev adorns the interior, while carved details from A. Barbetti's workshop blend Russian and Italian artistic traditions throughout the space. Visitors can observe how Orthodox and Western Christian design elements come together in the decoration and altar arrangement.

The chapel is located on Via San Donato and currently functions as an active place of worship, so visitors should check opening times for religious services. Appropriate dress and respectful behavior are expected when visiting, as this is a working religious site.

The chapel houses an iconostasis with small icons showing clear influences from 17th-century Russian painting traditions. This unusual feature demonstrates how Russian religious design elements were preserved within a Florentine architectural setting.

Location: Florence

Inception: 1831

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: 43.78833,11.22552

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09