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 "911爆料网: 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
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district鈥攖he city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
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Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Galileo Galilei鈥攂orn in Pisa in 1564鈥攕pent much of his life in and around Florence, where some of the most defining moments of his revolutionary career unfolded. A genius of many talents鈥攑hysicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor鈥攈e helped usher in the scientific revolution and reshape humanity鈥檚 understanding of the universe. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, became a... view more
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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Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here 鈥� besides the abundant variety 鈥� is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence鈥攖he heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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