Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Piazza Santa Maria Novella is a beautiful square in Florence, located in the western part of the historical center of the city.

SHORT HISTORY

The square was built starting with 1287 on the initiative of the Municipality of Florence, and completed around 1325.

Later, the square became, thanks to its size, the setting for competitions such as Palio dei Cocchi (a race with carriages), established by Cosimo I in 1563. The two marble obelisks, works of Bartolomeo Ammannati, were erected around the same time.

Closed to traffic in the late 1980s, the square was recently restylized, and a new pavement was added.

ARCHITECTURE

The facade of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella dominates the square. Completed in Renaissance style by Leon Battista Alberti in 1470, at the behest of the wealthy merchant Giovanni Rucellai, the beautiful facade of the church can be admired from any point in the square.

On the southern side of Piazza Santa Maria Novella, there is the loggia of the Hospital of Saint Paul (Ospedale di San Paolo), founded in the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th century, with the addition of a portico. Today, the building houses Museo Novecento, dedicated to the Italian art of the 20th century.

Among the palaces in the square, Palazzo Pitti-Broccardi, located on the eastern side of the square, is worth mentioning, as the residence of Luca Pitti, before moving to Palazzo Pitti.

The Hotel Roma, located in the southern part of the square and decorated with stained glass windows by Tito Chini dates back to the 1920s. The Grand Hotel Minerva, located on the western side of the square, is also an interesting example of the architecture of the 20th century.

The two obelisks in Piazza Santa Maria Novella date back to the 16th century. The bronze turtles on which the spiers rest are probably a work by Giambologna. The lilies placed at the top are from the 19th century.

On the corner with Via della Scala, there is a tabernacle with a fresco by Francesco d’Antonio di Bartolomeo, depicting the Madonna and Child with Saints.

The arrangement of the flower beds and walkways dates back to 1933, when they replaced the paving.

HOW TO GET THERE

Piazza Santa Maria Novella is located about 200 meters away from the railway station of Santa Maria Novella. The nearest bus stop is Stazione Santa Caterina, on the bus Lines 13, 14, 17, 22. The closest tram stop is Unità, on the tram Line T2.