Church of Santa Maria Novella - Florence Live Webcam

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of the most significant religious and architectural landmarks in Florence. The church is located in the square of the same name, adjacent to the central Santa Maria Novella train station. Santa Maria Novella is among the earliest and largest basilicas in Florence. Its history dates back to the 13th century, when Dominican monks began construction on the site of an old Dominican chapel known as Santa Maria delle Vigne.

The architecture of the basilica is a unique blend of Gothic style and early Renaissance elements. The church’s façade, completed in 1470, was designed by Leon Battista Alberti, one of the leading architects of the Renaissance. This façade is notable for its elegance and symmetry, with its white and green marble becoming one of Florence’s iconic symbols. The side chapels of the basilica contain numerous tombs and memorials of prominent Florentines, while the interior impresses with its grandeur and rich artistic heritage.

Santa Maria Novella is renowned for its apothecary garden and the oldest pharmacy in Europe, founded by the monks in 1221, which still offers visitors traditional remedies and perfumes. Today, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella remains an important cultural and religious center in Florence, also housing a museum that displays masterpieces of art from the 14th to the 16th centuries.