Church of San Salvatore in Ognissanti

The Church of San Salvatore in Ognissanti, or simply the Church of Ognissanti (Church of All Saints), is a church in Florence, located in the homonymous square.

SHORT HISTORY

In 1239, the Humiliati arrived in Florence, and settled outside the city. In 1251, they started a church as part of a larger conventual complex.

In 1571, the order of the Humiliati was suppressed at the behest of Cosimo I, and the Franciscans replaced them in the convent. Renovation work began immediately. Two cloisters were built, and the church was rededicated in 1582 to San Salvatore.

In 1627, the interior of the church was restructured to a design by the architect Matteo Segaloni, commissioned by Ferdinando II de’ Medici. New altars, paintings and sculptures embellished the church.

In 1637, the facade in Baroque style was completed by Matteo Nigetti. In 1872, the facade was completely redone in travertine.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The facade of the church develops on three levels. The lower one has a large portal in the center, flanked by two niches. The portal has a lunette with the Coronation of the Virgin and Saints by Benedetto Buglioni.

The second order has a niche in the center and two rectangular windows on the sides. The third level is decorated by a large coat of arms of Florence.

Inside, the church has a single nave and a deep transept. Between the rectangular windows which illuminate the interior, there are medallions with Franciscan saints by Anton Domenico Bamberini.

There are six altars on each side of the nave, under aedicules in stone of the 15th-century, decorated with coffers and supported by columns with Corinthian capitals.

Inside the church, are preserved works by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, Jacopo Ligozzi, Giovanni da San Giovanni, Bartolomeo Cennini, Taddeo Gaddi, Giotto di Bondone, Veit Stoss and others.

The Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli is buried in the church.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Church of San Salvatore in Ognissanti is located about 700 meters away from the Santa Maria Novella railway station. The closest bus stop is located in the southwestern corner of Piazza Ognissanti, about 70 meters away, on the bus Lines 12, 36, 37 and C3.