Oltrarno: A Journey into the Authentic Soul of Florence
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 museum
Headphones for parties of more than 6 people
Customized itinerary
Full assistance during the tour
Discover the Brancacci Chapel, Santo Spirito Church and the Artisans of Oltrarno with Guided Florence Tours
Beyond the crowded tourist paths, on the other side of the Arno River, lies a more intimate and authentic Florence—a city of artisan workshops, timeless alleys and squares where life unfolds at
the slow rhythm of tradition. This tour will take you into the heart of Oltrarno, Florence’s most characteristic neighborhood, allowing you to experience the city’s hidden soul.
But the wonder doesn’t stop there. Beyond its secret corners and ancient crafts, we will visit two extraordinary places that shaped the history of art: the Brancacci Chapel, the birthplace of Renaissance painting and the Basilica of Santo Spirito, home to one of the most intimate and moving works by a young Michelangelo.
What to Expect
The tour begins with a walk through Oltrarno, the artisans’ district, a maze of picturesque streets and centuries-old workshops where wood, leather, and gold are still crafted using traditional
techniques. Here, history blends with everyday life, and every corner tells a different story of Florence—authentic, surprising, and far from the crowds.
Our first stop is the Brancacci Chapel, a true manifesto of the Renaissance. Under the frescoed vaults of the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, we will admire the masterpieces of Masaccio and Masolino, frescoes that forever changed the course of art history.
Your guide will reveal how Masaccio, with his revolutionary use of perspective and realism, paved the way for future great masters.
But our journey into the heart of Oltrarno wouldn’t be complete without stepping inside some bottega, the workshop of talented artisans and inside the Basilica of Santo Spirito, one of the most beautiful Renaissance churches in Florence, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Here, in an atmosphere of absolute peace and harmony, we will discover a rare and moving masterpiece: the wooden Crucifix carved by a young Michelangelo. An unexpected work, far from the titanic strength of his later sculptures, revealing instead an incredible delicacy and deep spirituality.
This is a tour between boldness and devotion, between the pulsating energy of artisan workshops and the immortal grandeur of art.
History
Oltrarno, literally meaning “beyond the Arno,” has always been considered the most authentic heart of Florence. Here, the atmosphere of the Renaissance city is still alive, with historic workshops and bustling squares where artists, merchants, and craftsmen built Florence’s worldwide fame. Walking through its streets, you will discover hidden corners and stories of past centuries, speaking of creativity, ingenuity, and tradition.
The Brancacci Chapel, located inside the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, is one of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance painting. The frescoes by Masaccio and Masolino, created in the 15th century, depict episodes from the life of Saint Peter in a style that was revolutionary for its time. The innovative use of linear perspective and the realism of the figures make the Brancacci Chapel an essential destination for anyone who wants to understand the Renaissance.
Just a few steps away, the Basilica of Santo Spirito welcomes visitors with its simple façade and perfectly harmonious interior, a masterpiece by Brunelleschi. But its true hidden gem is Michelangelo’s wooden Crucifix, sculpted when the artist was just 17 years old. A work ofsurprising delicacy, gifted to the Augustinian friars in gratitude for having hosted him in the convent. This is a lesser-known Michelangelo—intimate and deeply moving—who speaks not of power, but of the fragility of the human soul.
If you want to discover a different Florence—emotional, rich in history and full of hidden treasures—this tour will allow you to see the city with new eyes, offering an unforgettable experience.
Photo Testimonials
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