Santa Maria del Santo Spirito Basilica

The name Filippo Brunelleschi may ring a bell… He’s the mastermind behind many iconic landmarks in Florence, such as the Pitti Palace, the cathedral’s dome, and the basilica in front of you. He designed the blueprints in 1444, but passed away two years later. Other architects carried on the work, building the basilica on the ruins of a 13th-century convent. They changed some of Brunelleschi’s original design, but still managed to create a church embodying the Renaissance — a style deeply rooted in Florence. Its elegant interior includes Florentine Renaissance masterpieces, such as a statue of Christ sculpted by Michelangelo at only 18 years old. In the 18th century, a plaster coating covered the façade and unfinished frescoes, giving it a smooth and pale appearance. Today, this radiant and serene basilica belongs to the city’s most important landmarks.