Basilica di Santo Spirito (Basilica of the Holy Spirit), Florence
Here we have yet another Florence landmark linked to the brilliant Renaissance architect鈥擣ilippo Brunelleschi. At first glance, the plain fa莽ade may not look too impressive, but step inside, and the story changes completely. The interior reveals a plethora of Baroque embellishments, crowned by a colorful Baldachin above the elevated altar. Along the entire perimeter, forty uniform side chapels鈥攕et like niches鈥攈ouse a remarkable collection of Renaissance art, featuring works by masters like Sansovino and Rosselli. Some of the restored pieces are especially vivid, with colors and detail that practically leap from the walls.
For a small fee, you can explore the two cloisters, where the walls are lined with historic tombstones and impressive Late Gothic frescoes. You鈥檒l also find sculptures spanning the 11th to 15th centuries, including low reliefs by Donatello, a high relief of the Madonna and Child, and two graceful marble figures carved by Tino da Camaino in the early 1300s.
Tucked away in a side chapel is a very special find鈥攖he wooden crucifix carved by a young Michelangelo, long before he made his mark in Rome. Just seventeen at the time, he was granted permission to study anatomy using cadavers from the convent鈥檚 hospital. In return, he created this delicate crucifix, initially placed above the high altar. Today, it resides in the octagonal sacristy, which you can reach from the church鈥檚 western aisle. While you're there, take a moment to admire faithful reproductions of his later works鈥斺�淧iet脿鈥� and 鈥淐hrist鈥濃�攂oth remarkable in their own right.
Tip: Don鈥檛 leave without stopping by the Salvatore Romano Foundation, located in the old refectory beside the basilica, now home to a nicely curated collection of ancient art.
For a small fee, you can explore the two cloisters, where the walls are lined with historic tombstones and impressive Late Gothic frescoes. You鈥檒l also find sculptures spanning the 11th to 15th centuries, including low reliefs by Donatello, a high relief of the Madonna and Child, and two graceful marble figures carved by Tino da Camaino in the early 1300s.
Tucked away in a side chapel is a very special find鈥攖he wooden crucifix carved by a young Michelangelo, long before he made his mark in Rome. Just seventeen at the time, he was granted permission to study anatomy using cadavers from the convent鈥檚 hospital. In return, he created this delicate crucifix, initially placed above the high altar. Today, it resides in the octagonal sacristy, which you can reach from the church鈥檚 western aisle. While you're there, take a moment to admire faithful reproductions of his later works鈥斺�淧iet脿鈥� and 鈥淐hrist鈥濃�攂oth remarkable in their own right.
Tip: Don鈥檛 leave without stopping by the Salvatore Romano Foundation, located in the old refectory beside the basilica, now home to a nicely curated collection of ancient art.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: 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.
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Basilica di Santo Spirito (Basilica of the Holy Spirit) on Map
Sight Name: Basilica di Santo Spirito (Basilica of the Holy Spirit)
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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Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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