Chiesa di Santa Felicita (Church of St. Felicity), Florence
Dedicated to Saint Felicity, an early Roman martyr, this is one of the oldest churches in Florence鈥攆ounded as early as the 2nd century AD by Greek or Syrian merchants, who were among the city鈥檚 first Christians. A Romanesque version was built in the 11th century, but the structure we see today dates from the 1730s, redesigned as a single-nave sanctuary.
Santa Felicita lies directly along the route of the Vasari Corridor鈥攖he secret passage used by the Medici family to move between the Old Palace and their residence at the Pitti Palace. From a high balcony at the back of the church, the Medici could attend mass discreetly, without mingling with the general public.
What truly draws visitors today, though, is the remarkable artwork inside, starting with Jacopo Pontormo鈥檚 鈥淒eposition from the Cross鈥�, painted between 1525 and 1528. Pontormo, a key figure of the early Florentine Renaissance and a contemporary of Michelangelo, created a work that breaks from tradition in every sense. There鈥檚 no cross, no background scenery, and almost no ground beneath the figures. Christ鈥檚 body is carried by ethereal, almost floating figures, surrounded by swirling drapery in rich, luminous colors. The only hint of the setting is a pale, ghostlike cloud in the background. And look closely鈥攖he man in the corner with the cloak and beard is believed to be Pontormo himself, quietly observing the scene he created.
It鈥檚 one of the most emotionally charged and visually stunning depictions of the Passion you鈥檒l find in Florence鈥攚ell worth stepping inside to experience firsthand.
Santa Felicita lies directly along the route of the Vasari Corridor鈥攖he secret passage used by the Medici family to move between the Old Palace and their residence at the Pitti Palace. From a high balcony at the back of the church, the Medici could attend mass discreetly, without mingling with the general public.
What truly draws visitors today, though, is the remarkable artwork inside, starting with Jacopo Pontormo鈥檚 鈥淒eposition from the Cross鈥�, painted between 1525 and 1528. Pontormo, a key figure of the early Florentine Renaissance and a contemporary of Michelangelo, created a work that breaks from tradition in every sense. There鈥檚 no cross, no background scenery, and almost no ground beneath the figures. Christ鈥檚 body is carried by ethereal, almost floating figures, surrounded by swirling drapery in rich, luminous colors. The only hint of the setting is a pale, ghostlike cloud in the background. And look closely鈥攖he man in the corner with the cloak and beard is believed to be Pontormo himself, quietly observing the scene he created.
It鈥檚 one of the most emotionally charged and visually stunning depictions of the Passion you鈥檒l find in Florence鈥攚ell worth stepping inside to experience firsthand.
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Chiesa di Santa Felicita (Church of St. Felicity) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa di Santa Felicita (Church of St. Felicity)
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.
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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
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.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
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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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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
In Galileo's Footsteps
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
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures
The 鈥淐radle of the Renaissance,鈥� Florence is one of Europe鈥檚 most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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