Basilica di San Marco (Florence)
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 8 January 2022
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The atmosphere that surrounds the Basilica di San Marco is heavy with importance as a place of political, cultural and religious life in the history of Florence.
The complex used to be a Vallombrosan Monastery in the 12th century and in the 15th century it was almost completely rebuilt and given to the Dominicans. The construction was based on a project by Michelozzo which is the structure that can be visited today, albeit with a number of alterations over the intervening centuries. |
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Some significant modifications took place in the late 16th century by Giambologna, others in 1678 by Pier Francesco Silvani and a careful restoration work of the frescoes in recent years, after previous disastrous attempts in the 18th century.
Great figures of the 15th century spent periods in San Marco, among whom are Fra Angelico (who was made a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1984). His work can be appreciated in the cells on the first floor or in the lunettes above the doorways in the Cloister of Saint Antoninus. In the Chapter House he painted a magnificent crucifix on the high altar of the church. Some other pieces of his authorship were brought to San Marco during the 20th century, so it's not not without reason that the museum is known for having the largest collection of his work in the world.
Visit also the Sala dell’Ospizio (Pilgrims' Hospital) where today Fra Angelico’s most important panel paintings are gathered in a kind of gallery. Don’t miss the Pala di Annalena either, one of his most famous paintings which has been exhibited since December 2016 after restoration works.
Girolamo Savonarola, known as a friar, preacher, reformer and even prophet, spent two long periods here; from 1482 to 1487 and 1490 to 1498. During his period in Florence he denounced the corruption inside the Church and the exploitation of the poor, and played an important role in the political life of the city; he even intervened when Charles VIII of France invaded Italy, and after the fall of the Medici he preached that Florence would be a New Jerusalem, the world centre of Christianity, and promoted a campaign of extreme austerity. His unconventional discourse and practices were not ignored by the authorities who excommunicated him and, in 1498, condemned, hanged, and burned him in Piazza della Signoria. In San Marco some of his personal items are kept, the linen banner he carried in processions and a grand marble monument erected by his followers in the 19th century.
The complex also houses works by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Alesso Baldovinetti, Giovanni Antonio Sogliani and Fra Bartolomeo. Also as a part of the museum, you can visit the former library, the refectory (where impressive works of the pupils of Fra Bartolomeo are gathered ) and the Guest House, where you will see fragments of stone carvings, rescued from the ruins of the demolition of the Jewish quarter and the old market in the 19th century.
The church houses frescoes by Santi di Tito, Passignano, Jacopo da Empoli and Francesco Curradi. Check out the 16th and 17th century altarpieces by Giambologna, with the Madonna and Saints by Fra Bartolomeo and Saint Thomas in prayer before the Crucifix by Santi di Tito. In the Sacristy is the original tomb of Saint Antoninus, archbishop of Florence from 1446, but now his remains are in the Salviati Chapel (also with frescoes by Passignano and has paintings by Alessandro Allori and Giovanni Battista Naldini). The frescoes in the dome are by Bernardino Poccetti. Also in the church, if there is still time, pass by the tombs of the philosopher Pico della Mirandola and the poet Agnolo Poliziano.
Great figures of the 15th century spent periods in San Marco, among whom are Fra Angelico (who was made a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1984). His work can be appreciated in the cells on the first floor or in the lunettes above the doorways in the Cloister of Saint Antoninus. In the Chapter House he painted a magnificent crucifix on the high altar of the church. Some other pieces of his authorship were brought to San Marco during the 20th century, so it's not not without reason that the museum is known for having the largest collection of his work in the world.
Visit also the Sala dell’Ospizio (Pilgrims' Hospital) where today Fra Angelico’s most important panel paintings are gathered in a kind of gallery. Don’t miss the Pala di Annalena either, one of his most famous paintings which has been exhibited since December 2016 after restoration works.
Girolamo Savonarola, known as a friar, preacher, reformer and even prophet, spent two long periods here; from 1482 to 1487 and 1490 to 1498. During his period in Florence he denounced the corruption inside the Church and the exploitation of the poor, and played an important role in the political life of the city; he even intervened when Charles VIII of France invaded Italy, and after the fall of the Medici he preached that Florence would be a New Jerusalem, the world centre of Christianity, and promoted a campaign of extreme austerity. His unconventional discourse and practices were not ignored by the authorities who excommunicated him and, in 1498, condemned, hanged, and burned him in Piazza della Signoria. In San Marco some of his personal items are kept, the linen banner he carried in processions and a grand marble monument erected by his followers in the 19th century.
The complex also houses works by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Alesso Baldovinetti, Giovanni Antonio Sogliani and Fra Bartolomeo. Also as a part of the museum, you can visit the former library, the refectory (where impressive works of the pupils of Fra Bartolomeo are gathered ) and the Guest House, where you will see fragments of stone carvings, rescued from the ruins of the demolition of the Jewish quarter and the old market in the 19th century.
The church houses frescoes by Santi di Tito, Passignano, Jacopo da Empoli and Francesco Curradi. Check out the 16th and 17th century altarpieces by Giambologna, with the Madonna and Saints by Fra Bartolomeo and Saint Thomas in prayer before the Crucifix by Santi di Tito. In the Sacristy is the original tomb of Saint Antoninus, archbishop of Florence from 1446, but now his remains are in the Salviati Chapel (also with frescoes by Passignano and has paintings by Alessandro Allori and Giovanni Battista Naldini). The frescoes in the dome are by Bernardino Poccetti. Also in the church, if there is still time, pass by the tombs of the philosopher Pico della Mirandola and the poet Agnolo Poliziano.
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Opening-times:
Monday to Friday: 08:15–13:20 Saturday: 08:15–16:20 Sunday (only the 4th week of the month): 08:15–16:20 |
Prices:
Adults: €4 Concessions: €2 |
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City: Florence
Province: Metropolitan City of Florence Region: Tuscany Built: 1438 (reconstruction) Architectural style: Renaissance Walking distance from Piazza del Duomo: 11 minutes |
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Close by: Galleria dell'Accademia, Basilica di San Lorenzo
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Recommended accommodation: Hotel Spadai
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