07/05/2024
SMN facts:
1 // Benedictine Foundation: Santa Maria Novella has ancient origins dating back to the 9th century when a Benedictine monastery was founded on the site. It was expanded and renovated over the centuries, becoming an important religious and cultural center in Florence.
2 // Gothic and Renaissance Architecture: The Santa Maria Novella church is a masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Its facade, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, is a prominent example of Florentine Renaissance style, while the interior features frescoes by artists such as Giotto, Masaccio, and Filippino Lippi.
3 // Artistic Contributions: Santa Maria Novella was a hub of artistic talent in the Florentine Renaissance. Artists such as Brunelleschi, who contributed to the construction of the sacristy, and Ghiberti, renowned for the bronze doors of the Florence Baptistery, worked there. The church also houses masterpieces like Brunelleschi's Crucifix and Masaccio's Trinity, works that revolutionized Renaissance art.
