Santa Maria Novella Church private guided tour

The church of Santa Maria Novella is one of my favorite places in Florence. It is a magnificent example of medieval architecture, full of masterpieces of painting. Giotto, Masaccio, Brunelleschi and Ghirlandaio are just some of the great names who have worked there and have left their mark on the history of art.

Santa Maria Novella Church: what to see

There are so many pieces of art to see in this church, that it is practically impossible for me to make a complete list of everything worth to be seen. But I would like to point out the masterpieces that are truly unmissable:

• Giotto’s Painted crucifix. Dating back to 1290, it is a masterpiece of Italian Gothic painting.
• Trinity by Masaccio. 1425-28. The first fresco to use perspective and a milestone in the history of art.
• Strozzi Chapel. With the magnificent frescoes by Filippino Lippi, one of my favorite Renaissance artists.
• Wooden crucifix by Brunelleschi. Geometric perfection! This sculpture was at the center of a competition between rivals / friends Donatello and Brunelleschi.
• Tornabuoni Chapel with the frescos by Ghirlandaio. The frescoes portray all the protagonists of Renaissance Florence, including members of the Medici family.
• The facade of the church. Designed in the mid-1400s by Leon Battista Alberti, it follows the golden ratio and the rules of the purest Renaissance geometry.

Santa Maria Novella chruch private guided tour

I am always very happy to take people to Santa Maria Novella! In my private guided tour I won’t only show you the super famous pieces of art that I just mentioned before, but also the less known ones. There’s also Botticelli, Paolo Uccello, the cloisters and much more!

This tour will also give you a full historical view of the church and the transformation it went trough the centuries.

• Remember to respect the dress code required in Catholic Churches: you must cover your shoulders and knees.

Info about the tour:

• Duration: 2 hours
• Meeting point: at the obelisk right in front of the facade of the church
• Included: your local licensed tour guide: me!
• Not included: entrance tickets.

This tour can be easily paired with a visit to the ancient pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella, the oldest apothecary in Europe.

Note: i can take care of the reservation for your skip the line ticket (recommended in high season), so you will only have to enjoy the visit. Please be aware that in this case I will ask for a downpayment. I can also help you to book the tickets by your own.

Usually my standard Santa Maria Novella private tour last 2 hours. But we can shape the visit according to your needs, making it longer or shorter.

Feel free to contact me to get more info about this tour, prices and to book your private tour using the form below:

• Check also my other private guided tours in Florence!