Basilica di Santo Spirito

Santo Spirito does not try to dazzle you with a façade. It saves its argument for the interior, where Brunelleschi’s design begins in 1444 and keeps speaking even after his death in 1446, carried on by his followers. The plan is a Latin cross, but it behaves like a grid: repeatable units, same-sized chapel niches running in a continuous ring, architecture as a calm system rather than a single flourish. Corinthian capitals top the columns like punctuation marks, and the perspective lines keep you honest - walk slowly and the space stays perfectly legible. It is still Augustinian, still in use, and the visitor route threads devotion through objects: side chapels dense with patron commissions, Perugino’s Pentecost window, a 1601 baldachin, and Michelangelo’s wooden crucifix waiting in the sacristy.

It is not as popular as many other places but I think the most original church in Florence is Santo Spirito. It has an incredible atmosphere. There is an intertwined altar section/altar/mihrab inside. It is worth seeing just for that. It had a very different design. I was very impressed. The house was right in the center of the church. Moreover, it was free. There is also a statue of Jesus made by Michelangelo inside. This part is a separate place and you can enter here for 2€. I definitely recommend it. See it. Also the backyard is a wonderful place. The lemon trees, lotus and fish were wonderful. We were literally the only ones in a place like Florence. It was a wonderful experience to discover this church which is very plain from the outside but wonderful inside. It needs some maintenance.

Can't take photos and strange staff. We came in with a bottle of wine that we bought for dinner. We didn't want to buy a plastic bag for the environment safe so we we were carrying it in our hands. One of the staff members asked us to hide it, which is ironic because wine is often used in Christian services. She was also following people around like a hawk to make sure they don't take pictures. All in all, pathetic.

Built in the early 15th century on the site of an Augustinian monastery destroyed by fire, the basilica was designed by Renaissance master Filippo Brunelleschi. He began the design in 1434, though construction did not begin in earnest until after his death in 1446, with his pupils completing the church in 1487. The exterior remains unfinished, clad in simple gray stone, reflecting the fact that Brunelleschi’s original vision was never fully realized. In contrast, the interior is rich with artworks, including the octagonal sacristy designed by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1489—a true gem of Renaissance architecture. Note: Photography is not allowed inside.

Stayed in a nearby apartment and still miss these church bells now that I am home. The history and architecture is definitely worth a visit but attending Mass here was a game changer. Plus, there is a bonus Michelangelo treasure and beautiful cloister garden. Don't let the simple, austere fascade fool you. This place is special.

This is a large Augustinian church with a history dating back nearly a thousand years. However, the building that you see today was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi (1428-1446). The main body of the church is free to visit but a 2 Euro entry fee required to access the cloister and sacristy where the crucifix by Michelangelo is to be seen. The basilica exterior is subtle and unassuming. The interior nave is very large, nearly 97 metres in length. You will find 38 side chapels with very nice artworks including masterpieces by Botticini and F. Lippi. The Baroque baldachin is rather ornate and impressive and it is interesting to see the the crucifix carving by a young Michelangelo in the sacristy.

Very plain on the outside, but a wealth of history inside. Some fantastic altar pieces and a crucifixion carving and gardens.

The Basilica of the Holy Spirit was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the Renaissance style, who worked on it until his death in 1446. The interior is relatively minimal, except for the Baroque baldachin with polychrome marble added in 1601. The octagonal sacristy was added by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1489 and holds Michelangelo's Crucifix. Michelangelo, when he was 17 years old, was allowed to make anatomical studies on the corpses coming from the convent's hospital; in exchange, he sculpted a wooden crucifix which reflected what he learned about anatomy. Need to pay the entrance fee to see Michelangelo's Crucifix, because the sacristy it's in is also quite nice.