10 Best Churches and Cathedrals in Florence

The Tuscan capital of Florence, also known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, stands out, among many other things, for its great religious heritage. The city is full of impressive churches, combining history, architecture and art.

If you don't know what to see and do in Florence, don't hesitate to take a tour of the local churches and cathedrals. Visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, which boasts the largest brick dome in the world; the Church of San Miniato al Monte, one of the few Byzantine-style enclosures; the Basilica of San Lorenzo, famous for housing the Medici chapels, among others.

Santa Maria del Fiore rises on the city's skyline as an example of Gothic and early Renaissance Italian art. Its construction began in 1296 and was not completed until 1436. The famous Florence Cathedral is known for its imposing dome, marble façade and Giotto's bell tower.

Every corner of the cathedral is full of beauty and history. Its dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and considered the largest in the world, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city. However, to access it you will have to climb 463 steps. Likewise, Giotto's bell tower, which dates back to the 14th century, is another excellent viewpoint.

The interior of the Florence Cathedral houses important works of art, such as, for example:

• The apse mosaic: a 13th century work, showing Christ with the Virgin and the saints.

• The stained glass windows: with some biblical scenes.

• The statue of St. John the Baptist: a work by Michelangelo located just to the right of the main altar.

• The frescoes inside the dome, depicting the Last Judgement, by Giorgio Vasari.

On your visit, you can purchase tickets for the Cathedral and Brunelleschi's Dome, as these give priority access to the Dome, the Bell Tower and other areas of the complex, for which you would usually have to buy individual tickets.

Useful information

• Admission: Ad mission to the cathedral is free. However, if you want to visit certain areas of the building you will have to pay. Entry to the bell tower is approximately €18 per person and access to the Crypt is approximately €10 per person. Tickets to the Dome of Florence's Duomo start at around €20 per person.
• Opening hours: The cathedral is open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.

The church of Santa Felicita is an 18th-century Roman Catholic church , built on the ruins of a 4th-century church. Although it is not as busy as other churches in the city, it is worth a visit because it houses magnificent religious works by the Renaissance artist Pontormo.

In the church is an altarpiece with the Deposition; this is the moment when Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in Mary's lap . A fresco of the Annunciation, which shows when the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she is pregnant, also captures the attention.

You will probably pass through the Oltrarno quarter on a guided tour of Florence. If so, don't miss the opportunity to stop at the Santa Felicita church. A destination to incorporate in your itinerary of 1-2 days in Florence or more.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: daily from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.
• Address: Piazza Santa Felicita, 3, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy.

The Basilica of Santa Croce is a Gothic temple of great historical, architectural and cultural value. Construction began in 1294, but it was not completed until the 14th century, making it the largest church in Florence, famous for its stained glass windows, frescoes, tombs of historical figures and more.

The church houses impressive treasures such as the crucifix of Cimabue, considered one of the most representative works of the place, and the tombs of Machiavelli, Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei. The church also has one of the best museums in Florence for religious artefacts and art.

Whether you are on your own or you decide to hire a guided tour of the Santa Croce Basilica, make sure you don't miss any detail of the chapels of this important temple, decorated with magnificent frescoes by Renaissance artists such as Giotto, Brunelleschi and Donatello.

Useful information

• Admission: about €10 per person, approximately.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Sunday and public holidays (13:00 to 17:30).
• Address: Piazza di Santa Croce, 16, 50122 Firenze, Italy.

Another church that should be on your tour of the city's temples is the Basilica of San Lorenzo, known for its Renaissance and Baroque style . It also houses works by important artists and the famous adjoining mausoleum, the Medici Chapels.

The Basilica of San Lorenzo originally dates back to the 4th century. However, the present building was built in the 15th century by the architect and goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi, who also designed the brick dome of the Duomo in Florence

Inside, the High Altar and the Pulpit, both by Donatello, stand out . There are also several works by Botticelli decorating the church and the library designed by Michelangelo. The latter conserves an important collection of books and manuscripts.

And while you are in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, you cannot miss the mausoleum of the Medici family, known as the patrons of the Renaissance in Florence . The pair of 16th and 17th century chapels attached to the church were designed by Michelangelo. You won't regret buying tickets to the Medici Chapels.

Useful information for the Medici Chapels

• Admission: Access to the church is free. However, if you wish to visit the Medici Chapels, you will have to pay around 17€ per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 7.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
• Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9, 50123 Firenze, Italy.

One of the most important churches in Florence is the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, built in the mid-13th century by Dominican monks . Its construction lasted about 80 years, being consecrated in 1420.

Its marble façade incorporates some characteristic symbols of the Rucellai family, since in the 14th century they commissioned the architect Leon Battista to finish the façade. The interior details, high vaults and works of art inside the basilica create an impressive atmosphere.

Be sure to buy tickets to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella to admire the Santa Maria Novella altarpiece, Giotto's crucifix and the sacristy with its sculptures and rich art collection. You will also see frescoes by Masaccio, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi, among other masters of the Gothic and Renaissance periods.

Useful information

• Admission: The price of priority entrance is approximately €17 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Friday from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm. On Sundays from October to June the opening hours are from 13:00 to 17:30. On Sundays between July and September, the basilica is open from 12:00-17:30.
• Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze, Italy.

This church was built by the Umiliati lay order in the mid-13th century. In 1561, it was ceded to the Franciscans, who accumulated relics such as the tunic worn by St. Francis of Assisi in 1224, when he received the stigmata. There are also frescoes by great masters such as Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, among others.

The church of All Saints Ognissanti was restructured in 1582, acquiring its current baroque style. In spite of its simple appearance, the temple preserves amazing works of art. Probably one of the most striking frescoes in the church is Ghirlandaio's "Last Supper" from 1480.

However, every corner of the church has something to offer. Like the high altar where Giotto painted the Madonna and children, the fresco of St. Augustine by Botticelli on the right and, in contrast, the fresco of "St. Jerome" by Ghirlandaio. Both from 1480.

No matter if you are a religious person or not, the Church of All Saints Ognissanti is a simple place with a great artistic richness, whose visit should be included in your itinerary of 1 day in Florence or more.

Some useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Closed on Saturdays.
• Address: Via di Santo Spirito, 30, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy.

Unlike other churches in Florence, the Church of Orsanmichele began as a grain market. After a fire, it was rebuilt in the 14th century, resulting in a narrow and very tall building which, although still a granary, housed the church of the Liberal Arts, known as Orsanmichele, on the ground floor.

This peculiar three-storey church is an astonishing sight. On its façade you will see a series of statues by Brunelleschi, Donatello, Ghiberti, among others. The 14th century Signoria obliged the guilds to decorate the exterior with their patron saints.

Apart from its interesting history and impressive interior decoration with 14th century religious frescoes, there are also more reasons to visit the church: the marble and glass tabernacle, considered a Gothic masterpiece and, on the first floor, the museum, with statues and some Renaissance works of art.

Useful information

• Admission: access to the church is free. However, if you wish to enter the museum you will have to pay around €8 per person.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 8.30am to 6.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Address: Via dell'Arte della Lana, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.

The Church of San Miniato al Monte is one of the few Byzantine-style religious buildings in Florence. Although the building has undergone several alterations and extensions since its consecration in 1039 , the church has managed to retain its original essence.

With an impressive marble façade and a unique interior decoration consisting of some frescoes on the side walls, a series of Byzantine mosaics and geometric shapes on the floor are some of the details that stand out in the Church of San Miniato al Monte.

This church is not only known for its architectural value, but also for its cultural and religious importance. The enclosure, dedicated to the patron saint of Florence, San Miniato, houses a Benedictine monastery that is still functioning today.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Sundays from 8.15 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
• Address: Abbey of San Miniato al Monte. Via delle Porte Sante 34. Florence.

The Church of Santa Trinita was built between the 11th and 17th century. This small church of Italian Gothic architectural style and remarkable Mannerist façade is famous for its beautiful late Renaissance frescoes.

In particular, the frescoes in the Sassetti chapel, commissioned to Domenico Ghirlandaio, are the main attraction of this church; they depict the life of San Francesco d' Assisi. Also, the main altar is the altarpiece dell' Annunciazione, a work by Lorenzo Monaco.

Besides the artistic beauty of the Santa Trinita church, another reason to visit it is its proximity to the beautiful Santa Trinita bridge, over the waters of the Arno river . From there, you can enjoy a magical panoramic view of the city at nightfall.

Useful information about the city

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: daily from 7.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm.
• Address: Piazza di Santa Trinita, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy.

The Church of the Santissima Annunziata was built between 1441 and 1481, on the site of an oratory dating back to 1233, erected by seven nobles who, tired of society, decided to seek peace in this place. Today the church has preserved its Renaissance and Baroque architectural style, designed by Michelozzo in the 15th century.

The atrium of the church is famous for the frescoes of the Madonna, painted by Andrea del Sarto, Rosso Fiorentino and Pontormo. There are also some semicircular chapels and the cloister area , originally dedicated to the patron saint of painters, Saint Luke.

As a curious fact, the church preserves a painting of the Virgin Mary, considered miraculous. According to the story, it was an angel who drew the Virgin' s face, as the 14th-century friar (to whom the work is attributed) was unable to finish it. Be sure to see it during your stay of at least 3 days in Florence

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: daily from 6.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.00 pm to 6.30 pm.
• Address: P .za della SS. Annunziata, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.