Rucellai chapel, Gothic chapel in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy

The Rucellai Chapel is the raised chapel at the head of the right transept of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, set symmetrically opposite the Strozzi di Mantova Chapel. It is offset from the transept's centre because the left part of the back wall belonged to the Compagnia dei Laudesi. A flight of steps leads up to it, and at the top stands the tomb of Paolo Rucellai.

The chapel was built between about 1305 and 1325 by Cenni di Nardo di Giunta Rucellai, whose tomb lies beneath the stair leading up to it. Patronage stayed with the Rucellai family, who lived near Santa Maria Novella. The chapel sits off-centre because the left part of the transept's back wall belonged to the Compagnia dei Laudesi.

The chapel's name comes from the Rucellai family, who held its patronage from its construction between about 1305 and 1325. The panel known as the Madonna Rucellai, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna, stayed here from 1591 before moving to the Uffizi, and the name stuck to the work.

The chapel sits at the end of the right aisle and is accessible through the basilica's main entrance. Since it occupies a rear location within the larger structure, visitors should allow time to walk there and examine the interior at a comfortable pace.

The bronze floor slab of fra' Leonardo Dati, general of the Dominican Order, was cast and chiselled by Lorenzo Ghiberti between 1425 and 1426. It lay at the centre of the chapel floor from 1956 until it was moved to the transept, in front of the staircase leading up to the chapel.