Santa Maria Novella: magnificent stained-glass windows and Neo-gothic style of Florence

It was today, 18th February that Florence celebrates the death anniversary of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici.
Thanks to it, there (still?!) is free entry in several museums of the city were, and Santa Maria Novella was one of those.

It has been several time I didn’t enter that door, hence the results are surprizingly amazing!

Look at those pictures to know what I mean, discover the inner side of the first Gothic Church in Florence:

Santa Maria Novella entrance - Florence
Santa Maria Novella entrance (looking back)  – Florence
San Thomas of Canterbury, right wall of SMN
San Thomas of Canterbury, right wall of SMN
Giotto Crucifix in the middle of the central aisle
Giotto Crucifix in the middle of the central aisle
Santa Maria Novella - central aisle and altar
Santa Maria Novella – central aisle and altar
Santa Maria Novella main altar, Neo-gothic style, rebuilt in 19th Century
Santa Maria Novella main altar, Neo-gothic style, rebuilt in 19th Century
Cappella Tornabuoni, magnificent stained-glass windows
Cappella Tornabuoni, magnificent stained-glass windows
frescoes by Ghirlandaio - final part by Michelangelo Buonarroti
frescoes by Ghirlandaio – final part by Michelangelo Buonarroti

For this last picture it’s worth to say that historical arts tells us that those frescoes were made by Ghirlandaio and its collaborators: one of them was Michelangelo Buonarroti and it is told that he contributed to paint the final part of the fresco…but it also told that Ghirlandaio was so jealous and envied him for his work of arts that decided to dismiss his pupil.

But let’s go on with SMN pictures:

Groin vault in Tornabuoni chapel
Groin vault in Tornabuoni chapel
Giant wooden bookrest of 6th Century
Giant wooden bookrest of 6th Century (in Tornabuoni Chapel, just behind the main altar)
Cloister of Santa Maria Novella
Cloister of Santa Maria Novella
In Santa Maria Novella's Cloister
In Santa Maria Novella’s Cloister

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and the the final view:

Santa Maria Novella - front view
Santa Maria Novella – front view

I found it very very very interesting, so, even if it doesn’t seem to have an English version, enjoy the virtual tour/map of the Church here, you can have different explanation of what you’re gonna see if you once decide to visit Santa Maria Novella, Florence.

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