Florence Architecture

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore or “Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower” aka Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze) is located in the Piazza del Duomo.

• Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio (original design); Filippo Brunelleschi (dome); Emilio De Fabris (façade)
• Style: Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance
• Built: 1296 to 1436

The Italian Gothic and early Renaissance church was built between 1296 and 1436. The façade underwent major restorations in the 1870s and the dome has been continuously repaired since it was completed.

The architect Arnolfo di Cambio designed the Latin cross layout with a wide central nave and an aisle on each side separated by wide pointed Gothic arches resting on composite piers. Filippo Brunelleschi built the dome and Emilio De Fabris built the façade.

The architectural masterpiece is recognized as the most famous tourist attraction in Italy.

aka Cupola

• Architect: Brunelleschi
• Style: Renaissance
• Built: ? – 1461

• Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio
• Style: Florentine Gothic
• Built: 1298 to 1359

Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) is located next to the Cathedral and the Baptistry in the Piazza del Duomo.

Giotto di Bondone began construction on the Florentine Gothic tower in 1334. After Giotto’s death in 1337, Andrea Pisano continued work until his death in 1348. Finally, Francesco Talenti completed it in 1359.

Today, the bell tower houses twelve bells: five old, unused bells plus seven currently in use.

The Baptistery of Saint John (Battistero di San Giovanni) aka the Florence Baptistery was built in the Piazza del Duomo between 1059 and 1128.

The octogen-shaped Romanesque Baptistery is famous for its three bronze doors designed by Andrea Pisano, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Michelangelo.

• Style: Florentine Romanesque style
• Built: 1059 to 1128

The Palazzo Vecchio (“Old Palace”) is located on the Piazza della Signoria. It has been the town hall of Florence for over 700 years and has had many names, depending on who was in control at the time, including Palazzo della Signoria, Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori, and Palazzo Ducale.

• Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio
• Style: Romanesque and Renaissance
• Built: 1299 to 1314
• Address: P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI

The tower’s  clock was originally constructed in 1353 but was replaced with a replica in 1667.

The Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) is a private walkway running from the Palazzo Vecchio, through the Uffizi, above the Ponte Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti.

It was built by the architect Giorgio Vasari for Cosimo I de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, to move easily and safely from his official residence to his private palace.

The Loggia dei Lanzi aka the Loggia della Signoria is located on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria.

• Architect: Benci di Cione, Bernardo Buontalenti, Francesco Talenti
• Style: Gothic with early Renaissance elements
• Built: 1376 to 1382
• Address: P.za della Signoria, 50121 Firenze FI

• Architect: facade by Mariotto di Zanobi Folfi
• Style: Renaissance facade
• Built: 1550 – 1559

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is located in Piazza San Lorenzo.

• Architect: Filippo Brunelleschi, Micheangelo, and Michelozzo 
• Style: Renaissance and Romanesque
• Built: 1419 to 1459 (mostly complete)
• Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9, 50123 Firenze FI

Although construction was largely complete by 1459, final completion would not be until the end of the 15th century.

The interior of the church is a Latin cross with three naves and a dome at the intersection of the arms.

The church is also home to the historic Laurentian Library designed by Michelangelo.

• Architect: Filippo Brunelleschi
• Style: Renaissance and Romanesque
• Built: 1421 to 1440 (mostly complete)
• Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 50123 Firenze FI

• Architect: Micheangelo
• Style: Renaissance and Romanesque
• Built: 1520 to 1534
• Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 50123 Firenze FI

• Architect: Matteo Nigetti and Bernardo Buontalenti
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1602 to ?
• Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 50123 Firenze FI

The Chapel of the Princes was the brainchild of Cosimo I de Medici and was executed by Ferdinand I de Medici.

The entrance to the Palazzo Medici Riccardi aka Palazzo Medici is located on Via Cavour (formerly Via Larga).

• Architect: Michelozzo di Bartolomeo
• Style: Renaissance
• Built: 1444 to 1484
• Address: Via Camillo Cavour, 3, 50129 Firenze FI

The palace was originally built for Cosimo de’ Medici. Today, it is a museum and the seat for offices of the Metropolitan City of Florence.

In addition to the Duomo and San Lorenzo, there are many amazing churches in Florence.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella (Basilica di Santa Maria Novella) is located opposite the main railway station.

• Architect: Leon Battista Alberti (façade), Filippo Brunelleschi, Giorgio Vasari, and others
• Style: Renaissance, Gothic, Romanesque, and Classical
• Built: starting 1279; opened 1360
• Address: P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze FI

The original construction took nearly a century to complete with the façade still unfinished. The façade was finally completed by Leon Battista Alberti between 1456 and 1470.

The church has been remodeled multiple times including by the architect Giorgio Vasari beginning in 1567 and by Enrico Romoli between 1858 and 1860.

The interior is designed as an Egyptian cross with a nave, two aisles, and a short transept.

The Basilica di Santa Croce or “Basilica of the Holy Cross” is located in the Piazza di Santa Croce.

• Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio (believed)
• Style: Gothic and Renaissance
• Built: 1294 to 1385; façade added in 1863
• Address: Piazza di Santa Croce, 16, 50122 Firenze FI

The interior floorplan is an Egyptian Tau cross with a nave and two aisles separated by octagonal columns.

The Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world and the burial place of some of the most famous Italians in history including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.

Some of the earliest examples of Florentine frescoes can be found at the apse of the Basilica di Santa Croce.

The Basilica of Santo Spirito (Basilica di Santo Spirito) or “Basilica of the Holy Spirit” is located on the south bank of the Arno in the Oltrarno district.

• Architect: Filippo Brunelleschi, Antonio Manetti, Giovanni da Gaiole, and Salvi d’Andrea
• Style: Renaissance
• Built: 1444 to 1487
• Address: Piazza Santo Spirito, 30, 50125 Firenze FI

Brunelleschi died soon after construction began, and his facade was never built. The plain exterior makes this large church a majestic sight.

The Abbey of San Miniato (Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte) is located on the hill of San Miniato al Monte, the highest hill in the city.

• Architect: Bishop Alibrando 
• Style: Romanesque
• Built: 1013 – 1018
• Address: Via delle Porte Sante, 34, 50125 Firenze FI

As of 2021, the Abbey of San Miniato is included the listing of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• Architect: Bernardo Buontalenti, Matteo Nigetti, and Gherardo Silvani
• Style: Baroque
• Reconstruction: 1604 to 1678
• Address: Piazza degli Antinori, 1, 50123 Firenze FI

It was originally a Romanesque church that was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th century. It has a richly decorated Baroque interior.

• Architect: Bartolomeo Pettirossi
• Style: Baroque
• Built: Originally 1250s and Rebuilt 1620s
• Address: Borgo Ognissanti, 42, 50123 Firenze FI

Was reconstructed in the Baroque style in the early 17th century. Two well-known people are buried here – the painter Sandro Botticelli and the explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

• Architect: Neri di Fioravante and Benci di Cione Dami
• Style: Gothic
• Built: 1349 to
• Address: Via dei Calzaiuoli, 29, 50123 Firenze FI

• Architect: Gherardo Silvani and Giulio Cerruti
• Style: Baroque
• Built: Reconstructed 1660s to 1680s
• Address: Via di Cestello, 4, 50124 Firenze FI

• Architect: Interior Renovation – Gherardo Silvani and Bernardo Buotalenti
• Style: Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic
• Built: Originally 1020s, Rebuilt Gothic Style in 13th century, Interior Renovation Baroque Style in 17th century
• Address: Vicolo di Santa Maria Maggiore, 1, 50123 Firenze FI

Complesso di San Firenze

• Architect: Pier Francesco Silvani (Original Oratory),  Pietro da Cortona and Ferdinando Ruggieri (Church), Zanobi Del Rosso (Oratory Facade), Gioacchino Fortini, and Filippo Ciocchi
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1645 to 1775
• Address: Piazza di S Firenze, 5, 50122 Firenze FI

• Architect: Michelozzo (Convent), Giambologna and Pier Francesco Silvani (Church)
• Style: Renaissance (Convent) and Neoclassical (Church Facade)
• Built: 1437 – 1443 (Convent), late 16th century and renovated in 1678 (Church), 1777 – 1778 (Church Facade)
• Address: Piazza San Marco, 3, 50121 Firenze FI

• Architect: Ferdinando Ruggieri
• Style: Gothic
• Built: Rebuilt 1736 – 1739
• Address: Piazza Santa Felicita, 3, 50125 Firenze FI

Vasari Corridor is part of the facade of the church. This is the private walkway from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace that was used by nobles.

• Architect: 
• Style: Romanesque
• Built: Mentioned since 1032
• Address: Via Santa Margherita, 50122 Firenze FI

Often called Dante’s Church because of its close proximity to Dante’s house.

• Architect: Gherardo Silvani and Zanobi del Rosso
• Style: Baroque
• Built: Originally 1508, Rebuilt 17th century and 1772
• Address: Via del Corso, 10, 50122 Firenze FI

• Architect: Giovanni Battista Foggini
• Built: First recorded in 998, Rebuilt in 17th century
• Address: Via Giosue Carducci, 1, 50121 Firenze FI

• Architect: Gherardo Silvani
• Style: Renaissance and Baroque
• Built: 1192 – 1243, Rebuilt 1630
• Address: Via dei Lavatoi, 3, 50122 Firenze FI

aka San Niccolò Oltrarno

In addition to the Palazzo Vecchio, there are many amazing palaces in Florence.

• Architect: Lapo Tedesco
• Style: Italian Gothic
• Built: opened 1256; added to 1323
• Address: Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze Fl

Donatello’s most famous work, the bronze statue of David, can be found in the Bargello National Museum.

The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) is located approximately 400 meters from the Ponte Vecchio on the south side of the River Arno.

• Architect: Luca Fancelli and Giorgio Vasari 
• Style: Roman
• Year Built: starting in 1458
• Address: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI

Luca Fancelli, Brunelleschi’s pupil, was likely the architect of the original Roman-style palace that was built for the banker Luca Pitti starting in 1458.  It was still not finished when Pitti died in 1472.

Giorgio Vasari significantly enlarged the palace after the wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici of Tuscany bought the building in 1549.

The Boboli Gardens, an 11-acre complex of gardens, sculptures, and fountains is located behind the Pitti Palace. The gardens offered the Medici Family a serene and peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

• Architect: Benedetto da Maiano
• Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1489 – 1538
• Address: Piazza degli Strozzi, 50123 Firenze FI

Construction was started by Filippo Strozzi the Elder who rivaled the Medici family. It was completed in 1538 and taken by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. It was returned to the Strozzi family thirty years later and was held by them until 1937.

• Architect: Arnolfo di Cambio
• Style: Gothic, Italian Gothic
• Year Built: 1289
• Address: Palazzo Spini Feroni, 50123 Firenze FI

Purchased in the 1930s by Salvatore Ferragamo.

• Architect: Giuseppe Boccini
• Year Built: 1892
• Address: Via Calimala, 10, 50123 Firenze FI

• Year Built: 1308
• Address: Via dell’Arte della Lana, 1, 50123 Firenze FI

The Ponte Vecchio (the “Old Bridge”) spans the Arno river between the Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace.

• Architect: Taddeo Gaddi or Neri Fioravanti
• Built: c. 1339 and 1345
• Address: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI

It is made up of three large low-arched passes topped with shops facing the central passage.

The Vasari Corridor, the Medici’s private walkway connecting Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi with the Pitti Palace, runs above the shops on the bridge.

• Architect:  Bartolomeo Ammannati
• Style: Renaissance
• Year Built: 1567 – 1569

Is the oldest elliptic arch bridge in the world. It was destroyed on August 4, 1944 by fleeing German troops because of the arrival of the British military. It was reconstructed in 1958 using the original stones retrieved from the river. 

The loggia of the Mercato Nuovo aka the loggia del Porcellino is located in the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo at the intersection of Via Porta Rossa and Via Calimala.

• Architect: Giovanni Battista del Tasso
• Style: Mannerism
• Built: 1547 to 1551
• Address: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, 50123 Florence, Italy, 50122

It was originally intended for the sale of silks and precious objects, but, in stark contrast, today most vendors sell leather goods and souvenirs.

The Central Market (Mercato Centrale) is located between via dell’Ariento, via Sant’Antonino, via Panicale and Piazza del Mercato Centrale near Piazza San Lorenzo.

• Architect: Giuseppe Mengoni
• Built: opened in 1874
• Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI

The cast-iron structure, originally known as the Mengonian Market, was built as a Hall for Exhibitions.

Loggia del Pesce

• Architect: Giorgio Vasari
• Year Built: 16th Century
• Address: Piazza dei Ciompi, 50122 Firenze FI

Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici commissioned this loggia to replace the fish market previously near the Ponte Vecchio that was eliminated by the construction of the Vasari Corridor.

• Year Built: early 14th century
• Address: Piazza di S Pier Maggiore, 50122 Firenze FI

Originally the site of a church. The church was removed in 1784 and the facade became a marketplace.

The Piazzale Michelangelo is one of the best spots to view the historic center of Florence from above and watch the sunset over the city’s skyline. It is a perfect place to spend an evening walk and enjoy the magic when the city lights up.

The Uffizi (meaning “the offices”), which originally housed the offices of the city magistrates, is located in Piazzale degli Uffizi.

• Architect: Giorgio Vasari, Alfonso Parigi, and Bernardo Buontalenti
• Style: Classical
• Built: 1560 to 1581
• Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI

The Uffizi is one of the world’s oldest art museums. It included a private exhibition space that was open to visitors upon request as early as 1590, and was officially opened to the public in the 1760s.

The Gallery of the Academy of Florence (La Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze) aka Accademia Gallery is famous for housing Michelangelo’s statue of David.

• Architect: Cesare Bazzani and V. Mazzei
• Year Built: 1935
• Address: Piazza dei Cavalleggeri, 1, 50122 Firenze FI

• Year Built: 1320
• Address: Via S Miniato, 50125 Firenze FI

• Year Built: 1288, 1420 cloister expansion, 1660 expansion
• Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Nuova, 1, 50122 Firenze FI

In addition to being a working hospital, it houses numerous works of art.

The architectural landscape of Florence spans various historical periods, seamlessly blending medieval and Renaissance styles. From the Gothic structures of the 13th century to the innovative designs of the 15th-century Renaissance architects, Florence’s buildings tell a captivating tale of artistic evolution. Notable landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Medici Palaces showcase the transition from the Gothic era to the Renaissance period, highlighting Florence’s pivotal role in shaping architectural history.

Influential architectural elements like the Filippo Brunelleschi dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower showcase the city’s rich history. Structures like Palazzo Vecchio and the Medici Chapel fuse Gothic and Renaissance styles, reflecting Florence’s evolution. The use of white marble and the intricate façade of the Florence Cathedral represent the city’s artistic prowess. These iconic features, along with the influence of renowned architects and the Medici family, define Florence’s architectural legacy.

Santa Maria Nuova Hospital stands out as a significant example of hospital architecture in Florence. With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, this hospital reflects both medieval and Renaissance architectural styles. Founded in the 13th century, it served as a pioneer institution that influenced healthcare architecture in Europe. The structure boasts a blend of Gothic and early Renaissance elements, making it a vital part of Florence’s architectural heritage.

Want to learn about Florence history during your stay? Book a highly-rated city tour!

The Renaissance architecture style originated in Florence in the early 15th century and then spread throughout Europe, replacing the medieval Gothic style by the end of the 16th century.

The famous building in Florence is called the Duomo, officially known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. It is an iconic landmark in Florence, Italy, known for its distinctive dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.

One example of Italian Renaissance architecture in Florence is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Florence Cathedral. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the cathedral features a dome that is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering and architecture.

Other notable examples of Renaissance architecture in Florence include the Palazzo Pitti, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and later expanded by Bartolomeo Ammannati and Giorgio Vasari, and the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo for the Medici family.

The greatest architect of Florence during the Renaissance is widely considered to be Filippo Brunelleschi. He is best known for his work on the dome of the Florence Cathedral, which was an engineering and architectural feat at the time.

Brunelleschi also designed other notable buildings in Florence, including the Basilica di San Lorenzo and the Pazzi Chapel. His innovative use of perspective and mathematical principles in his designs helped to usher in a new era of architecture during the Renaissance.

The structure in Florence that is often credited with kicking off the architectural Renaissance is the dome of the Florence Cathedral, also known as the Duomo. The dome was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and completed in 1436, and it represented a major advancement in engineering and design at the time. The dome’s innovative structural system and elegant design inspired many other architects and builders throughout Italy and beyond, leading to a renewed interest in classical architecture and a shift away from the Gothic style that had dominated European architecture for centuries. The Florence Cathedral remains one of the most iconic examples of Renaissance architecture, and its dome continues to be admired for its beauty, elegance, and technical innovation.