Santa Maria Novella Church

The Santa Maria Novella Church is the oldest of the great Basilicas in Florence. It got the epithet “novella” or new because it was built on the site of an older church by the Dominican Friars who were assigned the property. Construction started around the middle of the thirteenth century and finished only around 1360. Since then it was built on and modified, chiefly by Leon Battista Alberti, who accepted a commission from a powerful merchant of the area, named Giovanni Paolo di Rucelli, to do so.

The church and the various chapels in it contain some excellent stained glass, frescos and other works of art. "The Trinity" by Masaccio, frescoes by Filippino Lippi and Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni chapel, a Crucifix by Giotto and a wooden Crucifix by Brunelleschi are among the finest examples of their respective genres, and not to be missed. The main pulpit has its own significance, for it was from here that the Church launched its first attack on Galileo Galilei, which quickly snowballed.

The Museo di Santa Maria Novella is adjacent to the church. The Green Cloister frescoed by Paolo Uccello and his school and the fresco by Bonaiuto in the Chapter Room, known as the "Cappellone degli Spagnoli" are both famous. In the Rucellai Chapel, look out for the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre by Leon Alberti

A new Piazza was built in front of the church, to the south, and it was in this Piazza that Cosimo I introduced the chariot race in 1563 since then. The races were an annual event, and the horse-drawn chariots had to race a specific number of times around two obelisks on either end of the square. These obelisks, by Giambologna, were made of Serravezze marble and mounted on pedestals with the motif of four turtles.

Since then, the Piazza has been the venue of various celebrations, including the return of Amerigo Vespucci.Also in the quarter is the Palazzo Rucellai, designed by Leon Alberti, and built by Bernardo Rossellino. It belongs to a group of buildings owned by the Rucellai family, which is inextricably linked with the history of the Santa Maria Novella complex, its beautiful architecture and art works.

Another imposing structure is the Palazzo Strozzi, built for another prominent merchant of the day, Filippo Strozzi. Construction of this magnificent palace was started by Benedetta da Maiano, but he brought in Jacopo Rosselli and il Cronaca to join him in the planning and execution of the building. It was completed in the early years of the sixteenth century. Palazzo Strozzi is considered one of the finest expressions of Renaissance architecture.

Facing the church of Santa Maria Novella, on the opposite side of the square, is the loggia of the Ospedale di San Paolo (Saint Paul’s Hospital). It was constructed between 1489 and 1496, added on to an existing building dating from the 13th century.

Representing 14th century architecture, the Museo di Palazzo Davanzati was bought by Elia Volpi, an antique dealer, who lovingly restored it and furnished it with period pieces. It is known for its frescos, fine, carved and inlaid furniture, rich tapestries and beautiful sculptures and paintings

Step into the church of Santa Trinita and admire the fresco cycle on the life of St Francis of Assisi, as well as Domenico Ghirlandaio’s Adoration of the Shepherds.

Amidst all this renaissance opulence, the twentieth century will sit a little awkwardly, one might think. But not so. The Railway Station stands testimony to how skilled architects can blend a building into any background, and ensure that it not only fits into the larger picture, but retains its own integrity.

It was designed by a team headed by Professor Giovanni Michelucci. The team comprised university students Nello Baroni, Italo Gamberini, Sarre Guarnieri, Leonardo Lusanna and architect Pier Niccolò Berardi, and called themselves the Gruppo Toscano (Tuscan Group). When the nation called for bids to build a new station in Florence, the Gruppo responded, won the prestigious assignment and started the gruelling work of executive planning and artistic direction. The station was built between 1933 and 35