Orsanmichele, Gothic church in central Florence, Italy.
Orsanmichele is a church building in Florence featuring Gothic architecture and fourteen external niches decorated with statues. These niches house works by major artists including Donatello and Verrocchio, who depicted various religious figures.
The building began as a grain market in 1337 before transforming into a church between 1380 and 1404 under the direction of Florentine guilds. This conversion marked the shift from commercial to religious use under the control of wealthy craft organizations.
The statues on the external niches show how deeply craft and faith were intertwined in medieval times, as wealthy guilds commissioned sculptures of their patron saints in stone. This choice reflects how spiritual belief and economic power walked together through the city.
The building sits near the city center and is easily reached on foot, with interior spaces directly accessible to visitors. Opening hours vary throughout the year, so checking ahead before your visit is recommended.
Inside the building stands a marble work by Andrea Orcagna housing a painting of the Virgin, representing centuries of religious artistic practice. This interior artwork often goes unnoticed while visitors focus mainly on the external statues.
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