Santa Maria Novella: Everything you need to know

The Church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence is one of the city’s symbols, located in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, right in the historical centre.

It was built between 1279 and the 15th century, consecrated in 1420 and built in the Gothic Renaissance style.

Since 1919 it has been a minor basilica at the behest of Pope Benedict XV.

Much of the structure is the work of Leon Battista Alberti, who designed the iconic central portal, the upper part of the façade and the entablature.

Prominent personalities worked on it over the years, such as Giorgio Vasari (who was responsible for the removal of the choir enclosure, the reconstruction of the side altars and the shortening of the Gothic windows), Giovanni Antonio Dosio (with the construction of the Gaddi Chapel) and Enrico Romoli (active with remodelling works between 1858 and 1860).

Santa Maria Novella: introduction

The Church of Santa Maria Novella is still a place of prayer and worship, where liturgical ceremonies such as funerals and weddings are liturgical ceremonies such as funerals and weddings are officiated.

It is one of the most important Gothic-style churches in Tuscany, guardian of works of absolute fascination and extraordinary importance.

Of particular note are Giotto’s Crucifix, Ghirlandaio’s frescoes inside the Tornabuoni Chapel, Masaccio’s Trinity.

Facade: description

The facade of the Church of Santa Maria Novella is one of the masterpieces of the Florentine Renaissance, even though its construction dates back to earlier periods and its completion took place only in 1920.

The first intervention concerned the lower register, which was covered with white and green marble in 1350. During the same period, the six tombstone arches, the two side portals and probably also the marble ornamentation in panels up to the first cornice.

In 1367, the highest oculus was opened. Between 1458 and 1478 there was a long series of interventions led by Leon Battista Alberti. The cladding of the façade with polychrome marble was completed. A classical portal was added to the lower part.

In the upper part, characterised by the large oculus, a tripartite rectangle was installed surmounted by a tympanum bearing the face of the Infant Jesus.

The use of marble inlay, a Romanesque legacy, allowed Alberti to unify the work pre-existing work, built on Gothic structures, with the new one.

Church of Santa Maria Novella: description of the façade.

On the upper gable of the basilica we find the inscription in large letters of the name of Giovanni Ruccellai, the benefactor whose donation contributed decisively to the completion of the facade.

On it we find geometric figures, squares, triangles, rectangles and circles, which define a series of admirable harmonic relationships.

The first cornice is decorated with a motif that is the Ruccellai family emblem, while the three lunettes above the doors were painted by Ulisse Cocchi. They represent: St Thomas d’Aquino praying before the crucifix, Aaron with the manna and Melchizedek with the loaves.

The Dominican Ignazio Danti was responsible for the bronze equinoctial armilla and the marble astronomical quadrant.

Thanks to the use of these instruments, the Grand Ducal astronomer and cartographer was able to calculate the discrepancy between the Julian calendar and the true solar year.

This resulted in the realignment of the days and the Gregorian calendar was promulgated. Gregorian calendar was promulgated.

Opening hours and tickets

The Santa Maria Novella complex can be visited in its entirety as of 2012.

We therefore have the opportunity to discover the church with its frescoed chapels, the Sacristy and the cemetery of the Avelli.

We can also visit the Museum of Santa Maria Novella, with access to the Green Cloister, the Chiostro dei Morti, the Cappella degli Ubriachi, the Cappellone degli Spagnoli and the Refectory.

Church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, opening hours:

April to June inclusive:
- Monday-Thursday: 09.00 – 17.30;
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 5.30 p.m;
- Saturday and religious holidays: 09.00 – 17.30;
- Sunday and religious holidays: 13.00 – 17.30;

From July to September inclusive:
- Monday-Thursday: 09.00 – 17.30;
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 5.30 p.m;
- Saturday and religious holidays: 09.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m;
- Sunday and religious holidays: 12 a.m. – 5.30 p.m;

From October to March inclusive:
- Monday-Thursday: 09.00 – 17.30;
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 5.30 p.m;
- Saturday and religious holidays: 09.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m;
- Sunday and religious holidays: 1 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Church of Santa Maria Novella Florence Tickets

Full price ticket: € 7.5;
Reduced price ticket: € 5. For children from 11 to 18 years old;
Free ticket: € 0. For residents in the Municipality of Florence (required to show an identity document); children up to the age of 11; disabled people, and if they need, their companions; members of religious orders or congregations and diocesan clergy; school or group leaders (1 for every 15 members); Italian tourist guides (who are required to show their membership card);

ICOM, ICOMOS and ICCROM members, journalists;

Ticket for special events: €12 (with entrance to the Basilica for the duration of the event only).

Features of Santa Maria Novella

The interior of the Church of Santa Maria Novella has quite unique characteristics: it is here that elements of Gothic architecture were used for the first time in the city and in particular characteristics of Cistercian Gothic architecture are evident.

The church measures 99.20 metres in length, 28.20 metres in width, with a transept of 61.54 metres and an altar of 11.50 metres.

The interior has three naves with a roof defined by ribbed cross vaults.

Of particular impact are the stained glass windows, made between the 14th and 15th centuries, including those depicting The Madonna and Child or St John and St Philip designed by Filippino Lippi.

Among the rooms worth visiting are:

Tornabuoni Chapel;
Filippo Strozzi Chapel;
Bardi Chapel;
Ruccellai Chapel;
Gondi Chapel;
Gaddi Chapel;
Strozzi Chapel in Mantua;
Sacristy;
Avelli and Cemetery;
Pura Chapel;
Bell Tower;
Convent;
Green Cloister;
Spanish Chapel;
Refectory;
Cloister of the Dead;
Great Cloister;
Chapel of the Popes.

Artworks and curiosities

The Church of Santa Maria Novella houses works of absolute importance, created by some

some of the greatest Italian artists of all time:

Giotto: Crucifix;
Bernardo Daddi: polyptych with Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints;
Andrea Bonaiuti: frescoes in the Cappellone degli Spagnoli;
Tino di Camaino: Tomb of the Bishop of Fiesole;
Filippo Brunelleschi: Wooden Crucifix;
Nando di Cione: frescoes Last Judgement, Paradise, Hell and those in the Chapel of St Paul and the Chapel of St Anne;
Nino Pisano: Madonna and Child;
Masaccio: Trinity, Mary and John;
Andrea Orcagna: Strozzi Altarpiece, polyptych with Vision of St Thomas, frescoes in the Strozzi’s funeral chapel;
Bernardo Rossellino and Desiderio da Settignano: Monument to the Blessed Villana;
Lorenzo Ghiberti: tomb slab of Fra’ Leonardo Dati;
Domenico Ghirlandaio: frescoes in the Cappella Maggiore;
Paolo Uccello: frescoes with Stories from Genesis, Universal Flood and Recession of the waters, Exit from the ark, Noah’s sacrifice, Noah’s drunkenness, Creation of the animals, Creation of Adam, Earthly Paradise, Creation of Eve, Original Sin;
Bronzino: The Miracle of Jesus;
Giorgio Vasari: Madonna of the Rosary;
Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio: frescoes in the Chapel of the Popes;
Giambologna: Bronze Crucifix on the high altar;
Baccio d’Agnolo: wooden choir and lectern;
Benedetto da Maiano: Tomb of Filippo Strozzi;
Alessandro Allori: Last Supper;
Pontormo: frescoes in the Chapel of the Popes;
Filippino Lippi: frescoes in the Chapel of Filippo Strozzi.

Some curiosities about the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella:

On the façade we can observe, in several places, the symbol of a sail unfurle to the wind. This is the coat of arms of the Ruccellai family, famous for the trade of red woollen fabrics (many times also shipped by ship) and among the benefactors who financed the construction of the structure;
On the façade we can admire the use of red marble, chosen to emphasise specific details. As is the case below the entrance door, where we find a red porphyry plaque bearing the words ‘Bernardo Oricellario’. The slab indicates the exact place where Bernardo Rucellai, son of Giovanni;
The astronomical instruments: the façade of Santa Maria Novella bears two of the three astronomical instruments placed here by Ignazio Danti of Perugia. These are the armilla equinoctial and the astronomical quadrant.