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The Gothic church of Santa Maria Novella contains some of the most important works of art in Florence. It is the first great basilica in Florence.

In the square of the same name is the Church of Santa Maria Novella which was begun at the end of the 13th century and terminated with the erection of the facade designed by Leon Battista Alberti who created the harmoniously contrasting patterns of white and black-green marble, which give this church a unique, geometric symmetry, un-equaled anywhere else in the world. The interior is in the shape of a Latin cross with multi-colored pillars. The church has many masterpieces making it one of the most important museums in Florence.

The Museo di S. Maria Novella is equally rich in masterpieces distributed among the various areas which make up the convent.

A crucifix on tablet, the work of a young Giotto, is in the central nave. In the left hand nave is a Trinity by Masaccio which includes an innovative study in prospective, unique at the time, which pleasantly surprised Vasari who praises it in his writings. In the transept are frescos by Filippino Lippi; the Filippo Strozzi and Tornabuoni Chapels are decorated with a series of frescos by Domenico Ghirlandaio in which he portrays members of Florentine society of the period.

The Dondi Chapel contains the Crucifix by Brunelleschi, the only wooden sculpture he ever made. In the Green Cloister on three sides of the portico you can find frescos by Paolo Uccello including the Diluvio Universale and l`Ebbreza di Noe which are in a dominating green color, hence the name of the Cloister.

The Spanish Chapel, Capellone degli Spagnoli, so called because it was used for masses offered in Spanish for the retinue of Eleonora di Toledo, Cosimo I wife and contains a series of pictures portraying the Dominicans in their role as combatants against heresy by Andrea di Buonaiuto. The larger Cloister is not open to the public because it is part of the military police, Carabinieri, training school.

For more information visit

• Santa Maria Novella Museum and Cloisters