Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence: tickets, chapels and frescoes

From the windows of the Florence train station, you can see the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. In front of you is the city's main Dominican church, with a patterned facade of white marble and green stone.

Inside, you'll find Masaccio's "Trinity," Giotto's "Crucifix," and six historic chapels.

Below, we'll break down what to see first, how much time to allow, and when the entrance is least crowded.

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Construction history

💡 In short:

• Fewest people right after opening, before noon
• Allow several hours for your visit
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website

The Dominicans received this land in 1221: the Diocese of Florence gave them the oratory of Santa Maria delle Vigne outside the city wall. The new church with the same name took almost two hundred years to build. It was consecrated in 1420, and the upper part of the facade was completed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1470 (dates per Wikipedia).

The basilica was built and decorated with money from wealthy Florentine families. In return, they gained the right to a family chapel and tomb inside. Over the centuries, the building was expanded and remodeled several times, but its original appearance has been preserved.

The monastery's large cloister is now occupied by the Carabinieri, and entry is closed. The green courtyard, the Spanish Chapel, and the refectory are open with a general ticket. However, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella pharmacy is open, the oldest operating pharmacy in Tuscany. It sells herbal blends, essential oils, and creams made from old recipes. The line to the sales floor can be long, but the consultants speak English.

Architecture

In style, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella combines several movements at once. You can see Romanesque solidity, Gothic upward thrust, and Renaissance proportions.

The church's main pride: a facade with a geometric pattern of white marble and dark green stone. The lower part was faced as early as the Middle Ages, while the upper part was completed by Alberti on commission from the wool merchant Giovanni Rucellai. His name and the year of completion are inscribed on the frieze. The green stone for the cladding was brought from Prato; it is not marble in the strict sense, but serpentinite.

On the lower part of the facade, you'll see an armillary sphere and an astronomical quadrant. These instruments were installed by the astronomer Ignazio Danti. They helped determine the equinox and the exact time, and his calculations later proved useful in the introduction of the Gregorian calendar.

Interior

Inside, the church is divided into three naves by rows of columns and tall arches. The main hall feels spacious and bright. There are almost no gilded patterns or colorful mosaics here, which sets the basilica apart from many Baroque churches in Italy.

© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The main feature of the interior: early Renaissance painting and sculpture. Be sure to find Masaccio's "Trinity" and Giotto's wooden "Crucifix." Both works are considered turning points for European painting.

On the main altar stands a bronze "Crucifix" by Giovanni da Bologna. Nearby, you'll see tombs of bishops and monks, as well as works by Ghirlandaio and Filippino Lippi. Take your time; many details are easy to miss.

Chapels and frescoes

The basilica has six historic chapels in total, each with its own story. Four stand around the main one, and the sixth is located in the monastery courtyard. It's best to view them in order.

© Miguel Mendez · CC BYPhoto: Miguel Mendez, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Gondi Chapel is considered the first: construction began with it. Filippo Brunelleschi's wooden "Crucifix" stands here. The Gondi family once lent money to the Medici themselves. The neighboring Gaddi Chapel is known for its painted ceiling by Alessandro Allori.

The Strozzi di Mantova Chapel is decorated with frescoes by Nardo di Cione on the themes of the "Last Judgment" and "Paradise." This is a rare attempt in Florence to illustrate Dante's "Divine Comedy." The Strozzi Chapel is linked to Boccaccio's "Decameron" and was painted by Filippino Lippi.

The main chapel, Tornabuoni, was painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio in the late 15th century. It depicts scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. The Pura Chapel takes its name from the word "pure," and an old story about an apparition of the Madonna is associated with it. Don't miss the stained glass window "Coronation of the Virgin": on a sunny day, its pattern falls onto the floor and walls.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The complex is open daily, but hours depend on the day of the week. Monday through Thursday and on civic holidays, it's 9:00-17:30; on Friday, 11:00-17:30. On Saturday, the church is open until 17:00, and on Sunday, entry is only from 13:00 to 17:00 (as of 09/2026, smn.it).

© Luca Nebuloni · CC BYPhoto: Luca Nebuloni, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

A full ticket costs 7.50 €, a reduced ticket for teens aged 11 to 18 costs 5 €, and children under 11 enter free (as of 09/2026, smn.it). One ticket covers both the basilica and the museum with the Green Cloister and the Spanish Chapel.

Last entry is one hour before closing. On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, tourists are not admitted; the church is open only for prayer. It is convenient to buy a ticket on site, booking is not required, but you can arrange it in advance.

What the combined ticket includes:

• The entire basilica, including the chapels and the sacristy
• The monastery's Green Cloister
• The Spanish Chapel with frescoes by Andrea di Bonaiuto
• The refectory and the Ubriachi Chapel

If you want to compare options with time slots, check out tickets on Tiqets.

What to see nearby

If the basilica is your first stop, it makes sense to see other sights in the city next. The Accademia Gallery houses Michelangelo's David, and it is best to get a timed ticket for it. Take a look at skip-the-line tickets to David.

At the Uffizi Gallery you will see Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and paintings by Raphael. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's dome stands in the neighboring quarter. Allow half a day for each of these sights.

If you are short on time, pick one place and explore it at a relaxed pace. Rushing through Florence's museums is more exhausting than a long walk.

Location and how to get there

The basilica stands on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, directly opposite Firenze Santa Maria Novella station. If you arrive by train, the church will be the first sight on your way.

© Pierre-Selim Huard · CC BYPhoto: Pierre-Selim Huard, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A short street leads from the station's main entrance to the square. It takes only a few minutes on foot, so you will not need a taxi or the tram. The basilica entrance is from the facade, and the ticket office is in the inner courtyard.

For traveling around Tuscany, train schedules on Trip.com will come in handy. It is convenient to book Italian train tickets in advance, especially in summer.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to the basilica cost?

A full ticket to the complex costs 7.50 €, a reduced ticket for teens aged 11 to 18 costs 5 €, and children under 11 enter free (as of 09/2026, current prices on smn.it). One ticket is valid for both the basilica and the museum with the Green Cloister and the Spanish Chapel. Special events have a separate rate, which is higher than the regular one.

When is the basilica least crowded?

The fewest visitors are right after opening. On Sundays, entry is only from 1:00 PM, so the morning is taken up by services. On weekdays, the church opens at 9:00 AM (as of 09/2026, opening hours on smn.it). Arrive right at opening time.

How much time do I need for a visit?

Allow a few hours for the basilica, chapels, and museum. If you want to take in Ghirlandaio's frescoes, the stained glass, and Masaccio's "Trinity," it will take longer. Rushing gets in the way here; many works are located in side chapels and are easy to miss.

Can I buy a ticket without a reservation?

Yes. Tickets are sold right at the ticket office on site, and booking in advance is not required (as of 09/2026, visiting rules on smn.it). A reservation comes in handy in high season, when a line forms at the entrance. It is better to arrive at opening time, then the wait is shorter.

Is the basilica far from the train station?

No, it stands opposite Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, on the square of the same name. From the platform to the entrance you can walk in a couple of minutes. This is convenient if you have only a few hours between trains.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella on the map

Below is an interactive map, handy for building a route to the entrance. Address for your GPS: Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 18, Florence. You can also open the location in OpenStreetMap.

In short: what to book

If you have one day in Florence, start with the basilica near the train station. Book tickets for the complex in advance if you are traveling in high season.

Selection matrix:

• Need tickets with a time slot: see options on Tiqets
• Looking for a place to stay near the station: hotels near Santa Maria Novella on Trip.com

Compare the terms in advance, and all you will need to do on site is pick a convenient time.