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Florence apartments - What to see in
Florence Santa Maria Novella area
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Santa Maria Novella Area
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SANTA MARIA NOVELLA RAILWAY STATION
This is one of the first buildings of Italian rational architecture. It
was designed by a team headed by Giovanni Michelucci, and was built
between 1933 and 1935.
FORTEZZA DA BASSO
Designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger (1533-35), the Fortezza was
recently remodelled and is now an exhibition and conference center.
CHURCH AND MUSEUM OF SANTA MARIA NOVELLA
Begun in 1246 for Dominican friars, the church was completed in 1360.
The white and green marble Gothic-Romanesque façade was completed by
Leon Battista Alberti who designed the upper part. Inside the church
there are splendid masterpieces including "The Trinity" by Masaccio,
frescoes by Filippino Lippi and Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni chapel, a
Crucifix by Giotto and a wooden Crucifix by Brunelleschi. The Museo di
Santa Maria Novella is adjacent to the church. Here you can admire the
splendid Green Cloister frescoed by Paolo Uccello and his school. In the
Chapter Room, known as the "Cappellone degli Spagnoli" is a famous
fresco by Bonaiuto. Just a short distance from the church is the
Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, where perfumes,
soaps and fragrances are made and sold in a Neogothic setting.
MARINO MARINI MUSEUM
The deconsecrated church of S. Pancrazio houses the museum dedicated to
Marino Marini, one of the foremost 20th century Italian sculptors. Near
the museum, in the Rucellai Chapel is the extraordinary Temple of the
Holy Sepulchre by Leon Battista Alberti.
PALAZZO RUCELLAI
Bernardo Rossellino built this palazzo for Giovanni Rucellai to designs
by Leon Battista Alberti between 1446 and 1458. The loggia is also
attributed to Alberti.
PALAZZO DAVANZATI MUSEUM
This building dates from the mid-14th century. In the early years of the
20th century it was purchased by the antique dealer Elia Volpi, who
restored and furnished it to recreate a period Florentine home. The many
rooms, several of which are decorated with frescoes and fine coffered
ceilings, contain carved and inlaid furniture, chests, benches,
paintings, tapestry, sculptures, ceramics, items used every day and in
the kitchens.
PALAZZO STROZZI
Filippo Strozzi the Elder commissioned Benedetto da Maiano to build this
palace. He began working in 1489 and was replaced by Cronaca who built
the cornice and courtyard. Palazzo Strozzi is one of the finest
expressions of Renaissance architecture.
CHURCH OF SANTA TRINITA'
This church, built in the second half of the 11th century, was enlarged
and modified according to the Gothic style in the early 14th century.
The pietra forte façade was made to designs by Buontalenti towards the
end of the 16th century. The major artworks inside the church are the
Sassetti Chapel with the fresco cycle depicting "Scenes from the Life of
St. Francis of Assisi" and the panel painting of the "Adoration of the
Shepherds" by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1483-86).
CENACLE OF GHIRLANDAIO
The former refectory of the monastery adjacent to the Church of
Ognissanti is graced by Domenico Ghirlandaio's painting of the "Last
Supper", of which even the synopia is visible.
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