Science and Art in Santa Maria Novella
Duration: 2:30 hours
On foot
Accessible to people with disabilities
Tickets are extra, we will buy them and they are NO REFUNDABLE.
What's included in the tour:
Private tour guide
Priority access to the chucrh
Headphones for parties of more than 6 people
Customized itinerary
Full assistance during the tour
Interactive experience
Discover Science and Art in Santa Maria Novella with Guided Florence Tours
Step into a world where art and science intertwine, where beauty and innovation coexist in perfect harmony. Welcome to Santa Maria Novella, one of Florence’s most treasured gems, where every stone, every fresco, and every mathematical detail whispers the brilliance of the Renaissance.
What to expect
This exclusive experience unveils the extraordinary knowledge of the Dominican friars, who transformed Santa Maria Novella into a center of scientific and artistic exploration.
Our journey begins in front of the marvelous facade of the basilica, an architectural masterpiece created by Leon Battista Alberti, which hides precise mathematical references and harmonious proportions.
Once inside, you will be guided through unique masterpieces of art such as Giotto’s Crucifix or the frescoes by Masaccio and Ghirlandaio.
You will also discover how these friars not only dedicated themselves to faith but also studied the cosmos, measuring time and space with astonishing precision.
One of the tour’s most fascinating highlights is the solar meridian line that allowed to observe the sun’s movement and determine the exact date of the spring equinox. This groundbreaking
study of light and time, conducted centuries ago within these very walls, reflects the Renaissance thirst for knowledge and discovery.
But science is not the only marvel within Santa Maria Novella—fashion also plays a starring role. As we explore Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel, you’ll notice something remarkable: beyond their religious themes, these paintings are a vibrant window into 15th-century Florentine fashion. Every garment, every intricate embroidery, and every shimmering jewel captures the elegance and social status of Florence’s noble families. The frescoes are not just works of art; they are a Renaissance runway, a testimony to the city’s wealth and sophistication.
The Story of Santa Maria Novella
Built by Dominican friars in the 13th century, Santa Maria Novella stands as a beacon of Florence’s artistic and intellectual splendor. Its very structure embodies the Renaissance ideals of order and reason, with Leon Battista Alberti’s perfectly calculated façade reflecting a profound understanding of mathematics and beauty.
Inside, the basilica holds treasures that changed the course of history. Masaccio’s Trinity, one of the first fresscoes to masterfully use linear perspective, invites you to step into a three- dimensional space created purely with paint and genius. Meanwhile, Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel breathe life into the past, narrating the story of the Virgin Mary with astonishing vibrancy and realism.
This is an immersive journey through the heart of the Renaissance, where every brushstroke and architectural detail tells a story of innovation, passion, and discovery.
Come and experience the magic of Santa Maria Novella, where the spirit of Florence shines in every masterpiece.
Photo testimonials
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