SS. Annunziata Church
SS. Annunziata Church
art site
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 50121 Firenze, Italia
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This church has belonged to the order of the Servites since 1250; its façade extends along one side of the piazza of the same name. The Cloister of the Vows (that gets its name from the ex-votos that the faithful left there) is outside the entrance. It is a true anthology of Florentine painting from the latter half of the fifteenth century to the birth of Mannerism. Most of the lunettes are the work of Andrea del Sarto, but there are also some by Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino. The interior, that was lavishly decorated between the XVII and XVIII centuries houses precious works by Andrea del Castagno, Bronzino and Andrea del Sarto who is buried here along with other artists (Pontormo, Giambologna, Cellini, etc.). The large tribune with radial chapels was designed by Michelozzo and completed by Alberti in 1477. However, it is to the venerated fourteenth century (?) fresco of the Annunciation on the inside wall of the façade, in the chapel by Michelozzo, that the church owes its fame. According to legend, the painter Fra’ Bartolomeo found himself incapable of painting the Virgin Mary’s face; he fell asleep and when he awoke, the fresco had miraculously been completed.
art site
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 50121 Firenze, Italia
Show on map
This church has belonged to the order of the Servites since 1250; its façade extends along one side of the piazza of the same name. The Cloister of the Vows (that gets its name from the ex-votos that the faithful left there) is outside the entrance. It is a true anthology of Florentine painting from the latter half of the fifteenth century to the birth of Mannerism. Most of the lunettes are the work of Andrea del Sarto, but there are also some by Pontormo and Rosso Fiorentino. The interior, that was lavishly decorated between the XVII and XVIII centuries houses precious works by Andrea del Castagno, Bronzino and Andrea del Sarto who is buried here along with other artists (Pontormo, Giambologna, Cellini, etc.). The large tribune with radial chapels was designed by Michelozzo and completed by Alberti in 1477. However, it is to the venerated fourteenth century (?) fresco of the Annunciation on the inside wall of the façade, in the chapel by Michelozzo, that the church owes its fame. According to legend, the painter Fra’ Bartolomeo found himself incapable of painting the Virgin Mary’s face; he fell asleep and when he awoke, the fresco had miraculously been completed.