Florence – Santa Maria Novella-Cascine

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The historic neighborhood of Santa Maria Novella includes the western portion of the city center of Florence, and it takes its name from the large basilica located here. This area features various ancient buildings, historic attractions, and some museums. Just west of the city center is the area of the Cascine and some other smaller residential neighborhoods, located between the Mugnone and Arno rivers.

✪ Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of the most important churches in Florence. The church was built between the 13th and 15th century in Gothic style with a Romanesque and Gothic bell tower, while the elaborate facade was partly designed during the Renaissance by Leon Battista Alberti. The interior of the church houses a large crucifix painted by Giotto and various artworks, such as the fresco of the Holy Trinity (Trinità) by Masaccio. The basilica houses several richly decorated chapels, including the Tornabuoni Chapel (Cappella Tornabuoni), which features a large series of elaborate frescoes painted by Ghirlandaio. The basilica is flanked by a monastic complex housing a museum with other frescoed halls and numerous artworks. The church faces the large Piazza Santa Maria Novella, while the main railway station of Florence is located behind the complex.

Museo Novecento

Museo Novecento is an art museum in Florence located facing Piazza Santa Maria Novella. The museum houses a rich collection of 20th-century artworks, mostly by Italian artists, and it often hosts temporary exhibitions.

Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is regarded as the oldest pharmacy in the world, founded in 1612. The store, still open to this day, is actually a perfumery and herbalist shop, and it features richly decorated interiors, with numerous frescoes and artworks. A museum is also located here, hosting various traditional tools and historic objects.

Marino Marini Museum

The Marino Marini Museum (Museo Marino Marini) is an art museum hosted in the former Church of San Pancrazio in Florence. The museum is dedicated to 20th-century Italian artist Marino Marini, and houses many of its sculptures, as well as other artworks. The former church also features the Rucellai Sepulchre (Tempietto del Santo Sepolcro), an elaborate funerary chapel designed by Leon Battista Alberti.

Basilica of Santa Trinita

The Basilica of Santa Trinita is a historic church located facing Via de’ Tornabuoni in Florence. The church was built during the 13th century in Gothic style and then adorned with a Mannerist facade in the late 16th century. The basilica features a series of decorated chapels adorned with rich frescoes. Among these is the Sassetti Chapel (Cappella Sassetti), which houses frescoes by Ghirlandaio considered to be the masterwork of the artist.

Via de’ Tornabuoni

Via de’ Tornabuoni is the main shopping street in Florence, hosting numerous high fashion boutiques by luxury brands. Some historic buildings are located along the road, such as the 15th-century Palazzo Antinori at the northern end, and the Gothic Palazzo Spini Feroni at the southern end. Palazzo Spini Feroni houses the headquarters of luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo, and the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum (Museo Salvatore Ferragamo), a museum dedicated to the history of the company.

Church of Santi Michele e Gaetano

The Church of Santi Michele e Gaetano is a Baroque church erected in Florence during the 17th century, to replace a previous place of worship. The facade of the church features various statues and decorations, while its interiors house numerous artworks, including a series of 17th-century scultpures and several frescoes.

Palazzo Strozzi

Palazzo Strozzi is a large Renaissance palace erected between the 15th and 16th century in the center of Florence. The construction of the palce was commissioned by the Strozzi family, rivals of the Medici and one of the richest dynasties in the city at the time. The imposing building features various decorations and now hosts art exhibitions.

Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica is a large square in the center of Florence. The square was built during the late 19th century on the site of the ancient Roman forum, the medieval marketplace of Mercato Vecchio, and the Jewish Ghetto. A monumental column called Colonna dell’Abbondanza now stands as the only surviving landmark of the old neighborhood. The square is surrounded by 19th-century buildings, including a large triumphal arch on the western side.

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is a historic church in the center of Florence. The church was built during the Late Middle Ages in Romanesque style, with several Gothic elements added later. The structure has a simple facade, while its interiors host various ancient frescoes and some artworks.

Palazzo Davanzati

Palazzo Davanzati is a historic palace erected during the 14th century in Florence. The palace now hosts a museum that shows how noble Florentine families lived during the Renaissance. As such, the museum features several ancient furnishings, and its halls are adorned with frescoes and artworks.

Loggia del Mercato Nuovo

Also known as: Loggia del Porcellino

The Loggia del Mercato Nuovo is a 16th-century loggia in Florence, The building has hosted a market since its construction and it is adorned with some statues. The loggia features the Fontana del Porcellino, a fountain depicting a boar made in the 17th century, which has become a popular attraction for tourists. Another peculiar feature here is the pietra dello scandalo (“stone of shame”), a spot where insolvent debtors used to be punished.

Church of Santi Apostoli

The Church of Santi Apostoli is an ancient church in Florence, erected in Romanesque style during the 11th century. The church mostly preserves its original medieval features, and it houses some interesting artworks, including an elaborate tabernacle from the 16th century.

Church of Ognissanti

The Church of Ognissanti is a historic church erected in Florence starting in the 13th century. However, most of its current features date from the 17th century, when it was rebuilt in Baroque style. The church has a richly decorated interior, and it houses various art pieces, including works by Botticelli and Ghirlandaio. The church also features the Vespucci Chapel (Cappella Vespucci), a chapel painted by Ghirlandaio for the powerful Vespucci family, which included the famous navigator Amerigo Vespucci.

Cascine Park

The Cascine Park (Parco delle Cascine) is a large park located just west of the historic center of Florence. Originally a farming and hunting estate of the Medici family, it was opened to the public in the 19th century. The monumental park houses several attractions, including the 18th-century palace Palazzina Reale delle Cascine, various monuments, and some sport infrastructures. The Monumento all’Indiano (“Monument to the Indian”), an elaborate 19th-century monument dedicated to an Indian prince who suddenly died in Florence, is located at the very end of the park.