This city is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, which gave the planet priceless masterpieces, architecture, painting, numerous poets, writers, musicians. The atmosphere of the past centuries of the city is combined with the life of modern buildings, streets, squares. Numerous sights, churches and temples of Florence, with inexplicable magical power, attract the eye, forcing them to stop, to go inside.

Church of the Nativity and St. Nicholas

Not far from the main bus station of the city, a five-domed church rises, well known for its appearance from the temples of Russia. The principles of Moscow-Yaroslavl architecture of the 17th century were reflected in the architecture of the temple of Italy not by chance. Its history begins with the acquisition by the Russian Orthodox Church of a land plot near the Mugnone River. Construction according to the project of Preobrazhensky began in July 1899. The first Orthodox church in Italy has a two-story structure, a high porch, a central part decorated with kokoshniks, traditional five domes.

The lower part of the church was erected in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (consecrated in 1902). There is a wooden iconostasis here, a large number of interesting icons created by specialists from Peshekhonov's workshop. Many elements of the decoration of the lower floor came from the collection of Prince P. Demidov. The upper part was built in honor of the Nativity of Christ (consecrated in 1903). Here is an interesting iconostasis made of the famous white marble. The wall paintings are made in the style of Russian Art Nouveau. Rare shrines are stored in the church, for example, a bell taken from the Admaz cruiser participating in the Battle of Tsushima. Cross of the Metropolitan, Patriarch of Moscow, All Russia Filaret (Romanov).

The church is located at Via Leone X, 12. You can come to it on bus routes 2.8.13. 14.20.28.

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Church of Santa Maria Novella

The architectural form of the building, decorated with a geometric pattern of polished marble tiles, resembles an openwork box. You will definitely want to open it, look inside at the first glance at the old building. Its initial role was formed by the powerful, wealthy Dominican order, which built for itself another monastery, a church. It was erected on the site of the ancient chapel of Santa Maria delle – Vigne. Construction ended in 1420. The interesting façade of the church was commissioned by the Ruchchelai family. Their symbol in the form of a boat with inflated sails adorns the portal of the building.

Pylons (in the form of columns with lancet windows) are considered to be the original element of the church. The interior of the church was changed several times, supplemented with new elements. Now it is formed by works of art of the IVX-XVI centuries. Among them you can see the monument to Blessed Villana, the tombs of Bishop Fiesole, Philip Strozzi, the bust of St. Antonin. An altar with an interesting bronze crucifix was built in the Maggiore Chapel. In the Strozia Chapel you can see the famous frescoes depicting the Last Judgment and other oldest frescoes in Florence.

The church is located at Piazza Santa Maria Novella, receives visitors from 9 am to 19 pm. The price of the entrance ticket is 5 €.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

At the “Beautiful”, “Blossoming” Florence (the capital of Tuscany), during its heyday, population growth, it became necessary to build a cathedral demonstrating its greatness. Such a temple in 1434 was the Duomo, built on the site of the ancient Cathedral of Santa Reparata, which existed for 9 centuries. In those days, it could accommodate all the inhabitants of the city. Now the dome of the church, rising above the bright tiled roofs of the city blocks, points the way to one of the main attractions of Florence.

Having overcome 414 steps, you can appreciate the beauty of the surroundings from the top of the tower, go around the majestic dome by another staircase. When it was created, the ingenious engineering solutions of the architect Brunelleschi were used, which allowed the Temple to stand for many centuries. It took almost 14 years to build a huge dome. Its height, together with a small temple at the top (acting as a lantern), is about 107 m. This amazing architectural element has securely held the dome structure for centuries. As a result, the world is forever captivated by the view, size, beauty of the decoration of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The dimensions of the cathedral (length 153 m, width 90 m) allowed it to take the fourth place in the world.

The Cathedral is located in the center of the city. It is impossible not to notice him. Any bus route will take those who wish to the Cathedral Square. The cathedral is open for visits from 10 am to 5 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday). On Sunday, the visiting time starts at 13.30 to 16.45 hours. The museum is open all days of the week (except Sunday) from 9 am to 7.30 pm. You don't have to pay to enter the church. Climbing the dome, visiting the museum will cost 6 €. You can see the excavations of the ancient Cathedral of Santa Reparata for 3 €. A complex ticket giving the right to visit these places costs 8 €.

Church of All Saints

Ognissanti or the Church of All Saints, on the way to being the first basilica of Florence, participated in many historical events that developed with the participation of numerous rulers. The names of famous architects and artists remained in the interesting elements of the external and internal interiors of the church. For example, the creations of the famous masters of painting Botticelli, Ghirlandaio (Michelangelo's teacher) still amaze with the beauty of their unusual frescoes. These are The Last Supper, Merciful Madonna, Saint Jerome. “Saint Augustine” by Botticelli, considered a classic creation of the Renaissance. By the way, his life is closely connected with this church, which houses the grave of the famous master.

It is located at the feet of the beloved artist Simoneta Vespucci buried here. The one who was the wife of a relative of Amertgo Vespucci, after whom America got its name. Her beautiful face is forever frozen in the works of the Renaissance artist in love (Venus, Spring on famous canvases). The history of the appearance of the church is connected with the Vespucci family. It originally belonged to the family. The construction of the new basilica began in 1251 as an element of the monastic complex of the Humilians. Thanks to the strong financial support of the rich people of Florence, the church (Baroque style) quickly accumulated masterpieces from works of art performed by famous masters in different centuries.

The church is located at Borgo Ognissanti, 42, 50123 Firenze. Entrance to the church is organized without payment from Monday to Sunday from 7.30 am to 19.45 with a break.

Basilica of Santa Croce

The restored Gothic facade of the church, consecrated by Pope Eugene IV in 1442, attracts attention with its architectural elements. Among them, the central nave illuminated by the sun, numerous stained-glass windows (some of them are more than 7 centuries old). Through them, the interior of the church is illuminated in different shades. An unusual decorative element in the form of a Star of David reminds of the author of the design of the new facade, the Jew Nicolo Mattas. The Basilica or “Church of the Holy Cross” is shaped like a T-cross. 115 m is the length of the main nave of the church. This is the largest Franciscan church. The church has 16 chapels (chapels), decorated with frescoes by famous masters of the country who lived at different times.

The facade of the church is a real, expensive work of art made of multi-colored marble elements. The main feature of the church are the numerous tombs belonging to the great people of Italy. Their names are forever written on the tombs with the ashes that make up the Pantheon of Florence. Galileo, Michelangelo Buanorotti, Dante Alighieri, Niccolo Machiavelli, Gioachinno Rossini, Enrico Fermi and many other great personalities (about 300) rest on a marble bed with the figure of the owner on the sarcophagus.

Each tomb has an arch standing on columns. Together with unique frescoes, sculptures. The murals of the tomb make up the unsurpassed wealth of the church, creating an atmosphere of eternal tranquility. The basilica is located at Piazza Santa Croce, 16. It is open to the public daily from 9.30 to 17.30. On holidays, Sundays, the church is open from 14:00 to 17:00. Adults pay 8 € to enter the church, children over 11 years of age pay 6 €. There is a family ticket with a price of 8 €.

Basilica of San Lorenzo

A small church built in honor of Saints Lawrence and Zenobius stood on this site as early as the 4th century. The church served as the Cathedral of Florence until the 7th century. Then they moved on to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori. In the 16th century, the richest family of Italy, the Medici, began to rebuild the church into a family tomb. The creations of the great masters in architecture, sculpture, painting embodied their ideas in the design of the external and internal parts of the new church. Behind the simple, majestic walls of the basilica, interesting masterpieces of their work lurk.

Among them are the Old Sacristy chapel, created by Philip Brunelleschi, the New Sacristy, which appeared due to the brilliant work of Michelangelo Buanarotti. Historians say that he failed to complete the facade of the basilica in accordance with his plans. The interior of the church is much more beautiful and rich than the exterior. The complex, beautiful pattern of the floor mosaic, the starry sky created on the ceiling, fills the atmosphere of the church with a church, magical content. The tombs of family members, sarcophagi, decorated with interesting sculptures, harmoniously complement it. In the church you can see an interesting chapel of princes, an old Laurentian library.

The basilica is located at Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9. The church is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday (from 10.00 to 17.00). The ticket price for entering the church is 4.5 €, the library 3 €, the Medici chapel 8 €. A general ticket can be bought for 8 €.

Church of Santa Trinita

A small building with a simple facade, like a magic box, hides behind its walls a free museum of medieval masterpieces created by the artists Ghirlandaio, Mariotto di Nardo. His famous “Trinity” adorns the main altar of the church. All chapels (chapels) are painted by famous artists. The central part of the church is decorated with a painting dedicated to the birth of Christ “The Adoration of the Shepherds”. The unique creations of Ghirlandaio have always aroused great interest, increasing their value. This was well understood by the monks of the Vallombrosin order (professing asceticism), which owns the old church.

The church was built in 1280. It has been repaired and rebuilt many times. In the 16th century, a bas-relief of the Holy Trinity appeared on the facade of the building. Much later, the church decorated the door with images of holy monks, and a cozy courtyard with arcades was formed. The great value of the basilica is its chapels. The church combined a variety of architectural styles, while retaining elements of the Gothic style. Now the church is a Catholic basilica. It is considered one of the oldest churches in Florence.

The church is located in the city center, near the Santa Trinita bridge at Santa Trìnita, Holy Trinity Church.

Church of Santa Maria del Carmine

A small church, erected in honor of the Madonna of the Carmelite order in 1268, is considered a landmark of ancient Florence. Five towers, a small window, and a simple church façade hide the extraordinarily beautiful interior of the church. Constant changes brought elements of baroque and rococo into the Romanesque-Gothic appearance of the church. Ancient frescoes, marble sculptures of interior decoration have been preserved in their original form. The church has five tombs (chapels), monastic rooms. Among them, the Brancacci Chapel is considered unique.

It is decorated with frescoes depicting the life of the Apostle Peter. “Baptism of neophytes by Peter”, “Peter heals the sick with his shadow”, “Miracle with the stater”. The frescoes were created by the famous masters Masaccio, Masolino. Access to the church to explore the chapel has been allowed since 1990. Entrance to the church is organized without payment. Inspection of the frescoes of the Brancacci Chapel is possible upon payment of 3 €. The church complex includes the Corsini Chapel, a functioning Carmelite convent.

The church is located at Piazza del Carmine, 50124 Firenze.

Basilica of Santo Spirito

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a late creation of the famous Filippo Brunelleschi. It was to become an important element of the huge urban development project of Florence. It was not possible to complete the construction in full accordance with the bold plans of the architect. The construction of the early Renaissance church, as well as the Basilica of San Lorenzo, took place after the death of the great master. On the site of the new church there was a monastery of the XIII century (burned down in 1471). It was considered the intellectual center of Florence. The monastery operated a school, a library, an almshouse, a canteen for the poor.

Residents of the city dreamed of continuing good deeds in the new church. The simple, elegant style of the architecture of the building impresses with its proportions and color scheme. Inside the church there are well-known monuments of painting “Crucifixion” by Michelangelo, “Madonna with Child and Saints” by Lippo, “Expulsion of merchants from the temple” by Stradano. The architectural complex includes the vestibule of Kronaki, two cloisters, and the sacristy of Sangalo. At the entrance to the temple is the Museum of the Romano Foundation. It contains the painting “The Last Supper” by Andrea Orcagni.
The church is located at Via Porta Aurea, 48121 Ravenna RA.

Basilica of Saint Miniato al Monte

On one of the high hills of Florence nestled an old basilica that has preserved the architectural elements of the best examples of buildings in Italy, made in the traditions of the ancient Romanesque style. According to an ancient legend, there was a chapel (cave) where the first martyr of Florence, Miniato (Minas, who was of Armenian origin and appeared in Italy in 250), died. Gradually, next to the church, a monastery was built according to the project of Michelangelo, transferred to the Benedictine Order. In the future, it was rebuilt, fortress walls appeared. Local monks still offer their famous liqueurs, herbal infusions, and honey.

An example of the old style of Tuscany is the facade of the church, decorated with tiles of rare multi-colored marble. The modern lighting system of the church makes its facade shimmer, sparkle, emphasizing the beauty of the inlaid pattern of the pediment and the ancient mosaic “Christ between the Madonna and Saint Miniato”, created in the 12th century. The interior of the church has preserved the Romanesque-Florentine style: the central part of the floor is decorated with a beautiful marble mosaic with the signs of the Zodiac, figures of symbolic animals. Ancient frescoes have been preserved on the walls of the temple. Of interest are the crypt of the basilica, the pulpit of the Presbytery, the chapels of St. James, the Crucifixion. Near the church there is a cemetery with the grave of the famous writer Carlo Collodi, who created Pinocco.

The church is located at Via delle Porte Sante, 34, 50125 Firenze. The basilica begins its work at 7.00 am with a service. Tourists are allowed to enter from 9.30 am to 19.00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Admission is free, donations of €1.2 are welcome.

Church of Santa Felicita

From the ancient church built in honor of Saint Felicitate in the 4th century, only a few elements have survived. Among them are the murals of the altar “Descent from the Cross, Lamentation”, the decoration of the dome “Four Evangelists”, made by the famous Italian painter Jacolo Pontormo. The construction of a new Gothic temple began after the end of the plague. It was consecrated in 1354. Now you can see only the Chapter Hall with a painting by Gerini. The modern church “Holy happiness” appeared in the XVIII century.

The chapels of Kanidzhani, Capponi, the choirs of the 17th century, and the sacristy have been preserved. In it you can see interesting collections of paintings, for example, “Madonna and Child”, “Annunciation”, “Birth of Jesus”, “Meeting of St. Anna and St. Joachim”. Works created by Volterrano, Ghirlandaio, Lorenzo, Gaddi. The oldest church in Florence is located on the square of the same name. Open to visitors from 9.00 am to 20.30 pm.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

The ancient building is one of the main attractions of Florence, decorating the Cathedral Square. There are legends telling that a temple dedicated to Mars stood on this site in the 1st century. Only in the 9th century, the rebuilt building in the shape of a regular octagon turned into a Romanesque basilica. The church received the status of a baptistery (place of baptism) in 1128. For another hundred years, it also served as the Cathedral. Until the 9th century, members of the famous Medici families, Dante, hundreds of famous names of the country, thousands of common people accepted the faith of Catholicism in the baptistery.

In order for parishioners to take part in the rite of baptism, three pairs of gates were built in the building. Now they are of particular value to the baptistery. For example, the surface of the South Gate is decorated with 28 paintings from the life of John the Baptist, made by the famous master Pisano. On the East Gate there are 10 illustrations of the history of the Old Testament. They are otherwise called “Gates of Paradise”. On the North Gate there are gilded bas-reliefs of paintings of the New Testament, made in the Gothic style.

The interior decoration of the baptistery is striking in its beauty and is of great value. They include a snow-white marble dome, painted by different masters of Italy. The majestic image of Jesus, frescoes depicting scenes of the Last Judgment, Holy Scripture, the Heavenly Hierarchy. The frescoes that adorn the pulpit of the baptistery are considered the most beautiful in Tuscany. Here is the famous baptismal spring, which has become an important element of the rite of baptism for 9 centuries.

The Baptistery of San Giovanni is located at Piazza del Duomo. Works from 11.15 to 18.30 hours. The price of the entrance ticket is 5€.

Church and Convent of San Marco

The complex with this name consists of the church of San Marco and the convent (now it houses a museum). The church was consecrated in 1443. In 1498, the Dominican priest Savonarola was the rector in it. You can see the cell where he lived, a portrait. The building of the monastery was the first in Florence to have graceful proportions of Renaissance architectural elements.

The murals of the monastery were created by Beato Angelico. Cells, corridors and other rooms of the monastery are decorated with them. Many works of Italian masters of the Early Renaissance have become world-class masterpieces, attracting the attention of fans. The monastery has been closed since 1866. It houses the museum of Beato Angelico, the famous artist of the 15th century.

The Museum houses a library with a large collection of old manuscripts. The organization of work in the library is interesting. Without the permission of specially selected executors, it was forbidden to use manuscripts. Every year, in their presence, the monks made an inventory. When a book was not found, the monks made a fresh manuscript. You can visit the complex, located on Piazza San Marco, 1-3, from Monday to Friday from 8.15 am to 4.50 pm. The ticket costs 4 €.

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