
Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine (Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel), Florence
This is a place of devotion dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a revered title for the Virgin Mary. First built in the late 13th century, the building’s surviving Romanesque-Gothic exterior offers a glimpse into its medieval origins. But the church’s story took a dramatic turn in the 1700s when a fire ravaged through, sparing only one section: the now-famous Brancacci Chapel.
That chapel is one of the cornerstones of early Renaissance art. Work began in 1425, when Masolino da Panicale was commissioned to paint its walls. He soon brought in a young apprentice, Masaccio, just 21 years old at the time. Masaccio’s contributions turned out to be groundbreaking—his naturalistic figures and bold use of perspective would shape the future of Western painting. Sadly, he died just three years later, leaving the work incomplete. The frescoes remained unfinished until decades later, when Filippino Lippi added his own touch, completing the chapel in harmony with Masaccio’s vision.
Another notable part of the church is the Corsini Chapel, created for one of Florence’s most prominent families during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was built in 1675 to house the remains of Andrea Corsini, a nobleman-turned-Carmelite friar and Bishop of Fiesole, who was later canonized. The chapel is a textbook example of Florentine Baroque, and features a lovely dome frescoed in 1682. Look up, and you’ll see the ceiling brought to life by Giovanni Domenico Ferretti—his Rococo style adds a dramatic flair that still stands out centuries later.
That chapel is one of the cornerstones of early Renaissance art. Work began in 1425, when Masolino da Panicale was commissioned to paint its walls. He soon brought in a young apprentice, Masaccio, just 21 years old at the time. Masaccio’s contributions turned out to be groundbreaking—his naturalistic figures and bold use of perspective would shape the future of Western painting. Sadly, he died just three years later, leaving the work incomplete. The frescoes remained unfinished until decades later, when Filippino Lippi added his own touch, completing the chapel in harmony with Masaccio’s vision.
Another notable part of the church is the Corsini Chapel, created for one of Florence’s most prominent families during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was built in 1675 to house the remains of Andrea Corsini, a nobleman-turned-Carmelite friar and Bishop of Fiesole, who was later canonized. The chapel is a textbook example of Florentine Baroque, and features a lovely dome frescoed in 1682. Look up, and you’ll see the ceiling brought to life by Giovanni Domenico Ferretti—his Rococo style adds a dramatic flair that still stands out centuries later.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine (Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) on Map
Sight Name: Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine (Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
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