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Best Florence Churches to Visit

Each Florence church below is unique and holds a part of medieval Florentine history. If you are looking to find a church in Florence Italy to visit during your holidays here you will find best Florence churches, the description, pictures, opening hours and more.

 

Florence Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore
(il Duomo Florence Italy)

Florence Cathedral - or Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore - is a famous dome which became one of the symbols of Florence.

The construction of the Duomo in Florence was started in 1294 and finished only 81 years later. The best architects of that time took part in building the grand Florence Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral.

However, only in 1420-1436 the most famous octahedral dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore Florence Cathedral has been created. The finishing in white, pink and green color scheme was done in 1887 when Florence was the capital of Italy.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore will amaze you with its size: it is 153 meters long, 90 meters wide and 91 meter high!

Today, the Cathedral of Florence is the fourth largest cathedral of the world, letting up front only to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, St. Paul's Cathedral in London and Milan Duomo.

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral has a museum that holds two priceless paintings - "Lamentation over the Dead Christ" of Michelangelo and "Mary Magdalene" by Donatello. From the top of the Cathedral's observation deck you can enjoy wonderful panoramic view of Florence.

 

Address:

Piazza del Duomo
Florence Italy

http://www.operaduomo.firenze.it

Open:

Monday - Wednesday, Friday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 10:00 - 15:30
Saturday 10:00 - 16:45 (till 15:30 each first Saturday of the month)
Sunday 13:30 - 16:45

 

Santa Croce Florence

Santa Croce church Florence is another unique art monument in the center of the city. Gothic church Santa Croce is one of the largest churches in Florence, and is the largest Franciscan temple of Italy. Its construction started in 1294.

The main tourist attraction when visiting Santa Croce Florence church would be unique frescos done by well known Italian masters. There are also more than 300 tombs of great Florentines such as Michelangelo, Macchiavelli, Dante, Galileo Galilei in the Santa Croce church.

Address:

Piazza Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, 12
Florence Italy

http://www.basilicasantacroce.com

Open:

Monday - Saturday 09:30-17:00
Sunday 13:00-17:30

 

 

San Lorenzo Florence (Basilica di San Lorenzo)

Basilica San Lorenzo in Florence is one of the oldest churches of the city. Florence San Lorenzo Cathedral has been consecrated in 393, reconstructed in 1060 and got a modern look only in 1423.

The main sightseeing of the San Lorenzo church Florence is Medici chapel where the sarcophagi of Grand Dukes of Tuscany of the Medici family are stored: Cosimo III, Francesco I, Cosimo I, Ferdinand I, Cosimo II and Ferdinand II. The San Lorenzo tomb premise is furnished with marble, and two sarcophagi are decorated with the Grand Dukes' statues.

Address:

Piazza Di San Lorenzo
Florence Italy

http://www.sanlorenzo.firenze.it

Open:

Basilica San Lorenzo: 10:00-17:30
Medici Chapel: 08:15-16:50

Closed:

2nd & 4th Sunday of each month
1st, 3rd & 5th Monday of each month
New Years, May 1, Christmas

 

Baptistery of San Giovanni Florence

Baptistery of San Giovanni is the oldest building of Florence (IX century) situated near Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. San Giovanni Baptistery is for more than thousand years called the spiritual center of Florence.

The main sightseeing of the Florence Baptistery are doors, or Baptistery portals, that are decorated with priceless panels with Bible scenes. The ceiling mosaic of XIII century will be another must-see.

 

Address:

Piazza del Duomo
Florence Italy

Open:

Monday - Saturday 08:30-19:00
Sunday 08:30-14:00

 

Santa Maria Novella Florence Church

Church Santa Maria Novella in Florence has been designed and constructed on a place of old sanctuary of X century, in 1246. The temple build have ended in XIV century. The marble facade of Santa Maria Novella church has appeared between 1456 - 1470.

The Santa Maria Novella temple stores a large amount of famous Florentine artworks of XIV - XVI centuries of such famous masters as Vasari, Ghirlandaio, Brunelleschi, Giuliano da Sangallo, Ghiberti and others.

The Spanish chapel of the church Santa Maria Novella built in 1359 attracts particular interest.

Address:

Piazza Santa Maria Novella
Florence Italy

Open:

Monday - Thursday, Saturday 09:00-17:00
Friday, Sunday 13:00-17:00

 

Santa Maria del Carmine Florence

Santa Maria del Carmine church in Florence stores many unique frescos that attract Italian art admirers from all over the world. The church has been almost totally destroyed by a fire in 1771and have passed numerous restorations.

Address:

Piazza del Carmine
Florence Italy

Open:

Daily, except for Tuesaday 10:00-17:00
Sunday 13:00-17:00

 

Santo Spirito Florence

Santo Spirito Florence church (church of the Holy Spirit) is one of the best Brunelleschi works of Florentine Renaissance period. The church was built on the place of old Augustinian monastery that has been destroyed by fire. In 1436 the construction of Santo Spirito church has begun.

Architecturally the church style is similar to another Brunelleschi masterpiece - San Lorenzo Florence basilica. Other well known Florentine masters also worked on the construction of the Santo Spirito church such as Ammannati and Baccio d'Agnolo.

On the left hand from the church you will find a medieval art museum with best collection of Neapolitan antiquary by Salvatore Romano (Fondazione Salvatore Romano).

Address:

Piazza Santo Spirito
Florence Italy

Open:

Summer 09:00-17:00 (daily, except for Monday)
Winter 10:30-13:30 (daily, except for Monday)
The museum has the same opening hours as above, plus closed Wednesdays

 

Santissima Annunziata Florence
(Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation)

Santissima Annunziata Florence church was constructed in 1250 in the center of Santissima Annunziata square. Over the centuries the church has been generally reconstructed twice: in XV and XVIII-th century.

Church of Santissima Annunziata stores today a small museum of painting.

Address:

Piazza S.S. Annunziata
Florence Italy

Open:

Daily 08:00-12:30 and 16:30-18:30

 

I wish you enjoy visiting Florence churches during your stay in Tuscany!

 

With many thanks to Olymposgr, Michel27, HarshLight

 

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