Holiday & Cookery in Tuscany - Florence

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Links to the main Florence Churches

Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Choir area and Dome, Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower: The Cathedral we see today is the result of 170 years of work. The first stone of the facade was laid on September 8, 1296, under the direction of Arnolfo di Cambio who, in the same period, oversaw the construction of Santa Croce and Palazzo delIa Signoria. Arnolfo's design was subjected to numerous modifications, however: the most obvious are visible on the church's sides, where the first four windows are narrower and closer together than those toward the east, which are part of an enlargement of the plan due to Francesco Talenti in charge of construction after the mid-14th century. The radiating eastern chapels were finished in the early 1400s, and the gigantic dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi was completed in just 16 years, from 1418 to 1434; "a structure so immense, so steeply rising toward the sky, that it covers all Tuscans with its shadow", as Leon Battista Alberti wrote at that time. The lantern, designed by Brunelleschi, was built after his death (1446), and the gilt copper ball and cross by Verrocchio, containing holy relics, were set in place in 1466... The Cathedral's 44 windows constitute the most extensive stained glass program in 14th and 15th-century Italy. The windows depict Old and New Testament saints (in the nave and transepts), and scenes from the life of Christ and Mary (in the circular windows of the drum). The list of artists includes the greatest Florentines of the early Renaissance: Donatello, Ghiberti, Paolo Uccello and Andrea del Castagno... The oldest building on the Square is the Baptistery of Saint John, for centuries thought to be a pagan temple "converted" to Christian use. In effect, toward the end of classical antiquity - in the 5th or early 6th century - a first baptistery was erected here, in front of the then cathedral, Santa Reparata, in a spatial relationship similar to what we see today... Next are the north doors executed by Lorenzo Ghiberti between: these depict the life of Christ. And last, to the east, are the "Gates of Paradise" (as Michelangelo called them), with scenes from the Old Testament, modeled and cast by Ghiberti...

Santissima Annunziata Church: The church rises where once there was the oratorio dei Servi di Maria. The church was rebuilt between 1440 and 1481 thanks to Michelozzo who built the first cloister and to Dell'Alberti who made many changes... all these covered with frescoes of Andrea del Sarto (Madonna del Sacco), Pontormo, Franciabigio, Andrea del Sarto (La Nascita Della Vergine, The Birth Of The Virgin), Rosso Fiorentino and others…

Santa Croce Church: The building of the church started in 1924 according to Arnolfo di Cambio's project but in reality was consacrated in 1443 in the presence of Eugenio IV... In the interior many famous artists and others of every branch ok knowledge are buried. To mention a few, Machiavelli, Alfieri (Tomba di Canova, 1810), Michelangelo (tomba del Vasari, 1570), the sepocro di Galilei (tomba di Vincenzo Viviani, 1737)…

Pazzi Chapel: (Cappella dei Pazzi) in Florence is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture. It is located in the “first cloister” of the Basilica di Santa Croce. Though funds for the chapel were assembled in 1429 by Andrea Pazzi, head of the Pazzi family, whose wealth was second only to the Medici, construction did not begin until about 1441... As to the architect, scholars argue that it could have been either the work of Giuliano da Maiano or Michelozzo. The rondels of the seated Apostles are by Luca della Robbia, who also did the terracotta decorations in the cupola of the porch.[5] It has been suggested that the roundels of the Evangelists may have been the work of Donatello...

San Lorenzo Church: The oldest church in Florence is the San Lorenzo church. It was consacrated in 393 a.c. by S. Ambrogio and dedicated to Lorenzo martyr... The church was rebuilt twice; first in 1059 (in Romanic style) and second (thanks to the Medici family who wanted to make a personal temple of it) according to the project of Brunelleschi (from 1418 to 1421) and after his death it was finished by Antonio Manetti in 1461…

Museum of Medici Chapels: The Museum is incorporated in the vast complex of the basilica of San Lorenzo which, being the parish church of the Medici family... The Museum is especially famous for the New Sacristy which Michelangelo designed for the tombs of Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici…

San Marco Church: Is the name of religious complex in Florence, Italy. It comprises a church and a convent. The convent, which is now a museum, has three claims to fame: during the 15th century it was home to two famous Dominicans, the painter Fra Angelico and the preacher, Girolamo Savonarola. Also housed at the convent is a famous collection of manuscripts in a library built by Michelozzo... The works were entrusted to Michelozzo. Each cell of the monks cloister and many other walls were decorated by Fra Angelico in collaboration with others, including Benozzo Gozzoli... San Marco is famous as the seat of Girolamo Savonarola's discourses during his short spiritual rule in Florence in the late 15th century…

Santa Maria of Carmine Church: The present structure is therefore 18th century and was built by G. Ruggeri and G. Mannaioni on a Latin cross plan with a single aisle. The works inside include Vasari's Crucifixion on the third altar to the right... The Brancacci Chapel in the right transept which preserves a cycle of extremely important frescoes which have recently been restored... The frescoes were begun by Masolino da Panicale, who painted the Temptation of Adam and Eve in the first compartment above right…

Brancacci Chapel: Is a chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence... The patron of the pictorial decoration was Felice Brancacci, descendant of Pietro, who had served as the Florentine ambassador to Cairo until 1423. Upon his return to Florence, he hired Masolino da Panicale to paint his chapel. Masolino's associate, 21 year old Masaccio, 18 years younger than Masolino, assisted, but did so well that Masolino ultimately left, and the commission was given to Masaccio. However, Masaccio was called to Rome before he could finish the chapel, and died in Rome at the age of 27. Portions of the chapel were completed later by Filippino Lippi…

Santa Maria Novella Church: Its construction began in 1246 and was completed in the first half of 1300 by Jacopo Talenti: Leon Battista Alberti renewed the beautiful facade in the middle of the XV century…

San Miniato Church: The church of San Miniato in Florence was started in the xi century and is, after the battistery, the best example of the Roman Florentine style... The church steeple collapsed in 1499 and was rebuilt following the projects of Baccio D'Agnolo... Only later, near 1870, the monumental cemetry and the staircase which joins the church to the Piazzale Michelangelo, were built...

Santo Spirito Church: In 1444 Brunelleschi started building the church of Santo Spirito... The interior has a nave and two aisles divided by columns with capitals topped by abacusesThe church contains some notable works such as Madonna enthroned with Saints by Filippo Lippi,and statues by A.Sansovino in the Corbinelli Chapel... On the left of the church is the entrance to the Refectory of S.Spirito,frescoed by Orcagna whose paintings have been partially damaged…

Santa Trinita Church: In spite of the late Renaissance facade by B.Buontalenti, the church of S.Trinita is one of the most beautiful realization of Florentine gothic style... The most notable works here are: the Annunciation by Lorenzo Monaco,the Federighi Tomb,marble creation by Luca della Robbia.The frescoes of the Sassetti Chapel and the Adoration of the Shepherds on the altar are by Ghirlandaio…

Orsanmichele Church: The origins of the building go back to Longobard times, to the 8th century, when on this site an oratory of San Michele in Orto was erected. It is first documented in 895, and was demolished in 1239. In its place Arnolfo di Cambia built, around 1290, a loggia for the sale of grain. From a place of commerce it soon became a place of devotion, and miracles were attributed to an image of the Virgin painted on a pillar... Probably conceived as an ex-voto, the monumental marble altar with Virtues and scenes from the life of the Virgin in relief, was commissioned a year after the Plague from Andrea di Cione, known as Orcagna... The loggia was closed in, to a design by Simone di Francesco Talenti involving elegant mullioned windows in the late gothic style, and stained glass by Niccolò di Pietro Gerini showing Scenes and miracles of the Virgin…

Badia Fiorentina Church: The church of Badia is the oldest monastery in Florence and it was the first to be built inside of the old city walls... Inside you can admire many tomb of famous artists like Mino da Fiesole and Count Ugo, Marquis of Tuscana, who was the founder of many Benedictine Abbeys in Florence... Inside of the Badia you can admire various famous painting by Filippino Lippi; the most important is the Madonna and St. Bernard…

Russian Orthodox Church: The Russian Orthodox Church in Florence was built by the Russian community which passed long periods in Florence and it represents a significant chapter in the story of Florence. It was built by the best Russian and Florentine artits and during the years has suffered considerable damage...

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If you are going to visit Florence… Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi, Accademia… and... why not? a cookery class at Magici Sapori !!! for info click HERE