Our Florence guide lists 10 places of worship. Most are Roman Catholic churches, from the cathedral in the centre to several churches south of the Arno, and the list also includes an Anglican church.
The Duomo is the cathedral complex at the heart of the city, and climbing Brunelleschi's dome needs a ticket. Santi Apostoli is a Romanesque church in the historic centre and among the oldest church buildings in Florence. Santa Trinita faces the piazza of the same name, crossed by Via de' Tornabuoni; it is the mother church of the Vallombrosan Order of monks, founded in 1092 by a Florentine nobleman.
In the Oltrarno quarter, the Basilica di Santo Spirito faces the square that shares its name, and its interior, 97 m long, is one of the leading examples of Renaissance architecture. Santa Felicita is probably the oldest church in the city after San Lorenzo. San Felice in Piazza, on the south bank just west of the Pitti Palace, is mainly Gothic, with a Renaissance façade by Michelozzo added in 1457.
The guide also includes San Jacopo Soprarno, Santi Girolamo e Francesco alla Costa, the Oratorio di San Sebastiano de' Bini and St Mark's English Church, an Anglican church. If you visit during a service, dress modestly and keep quiet.
Updated:
10 places in our guide
1. Duomo & Brunelleschi dome
Centro
Cathedral complex; dome climb ticketed.
2. St Mark's
Florence
Saint Mark's English Church is an Anglican church in Florence, Italy.
3. Chiesa di San Jacopo Soprarno
Florence
San Jacopo sopr'Arno is a church in Florence, Italy.
4. Basilica di Santa Maria del Santo Spirito
Florence
The Basilica di Santo Spirito is a church in Florence, Italy. Usually referred to simply as Santo Spirito, it is located in the Oltrarno quarter, facing the square with the same name. The interior of the building – internal length 97 m (318 ft) – is one of the preeminent examples of Renaissance architecture.
5. Chiesa di Santa Felicita
Florence
Santa Felicita is a Roman Catholic church in Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy, probably the oldest in the city after San Lorenzo. In the 2nd century, Syrian Greek merchants settled in the area south of the Arno and are thought to have brought Christianity to the region.
6. Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli
Florence
The Church of Santi Apostoli is a Romanesque-style, Roman Catholic church in the historic center of Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is among the oldest church buildings in Florence.
7. Chiesa di San Felice in Piazza
Florence
The Chiesa di San Felice is a Roman Catholic church in Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is located on the south bank of the River Arno, just west of the Pitti Palace. It is predominantly Gothic, but has a Renaissance façade by Michelozzo, added in 1457.
8. Basilica di Santa Trinita
Florence
Santa Trinita is a Roman Catholic church located in front of the piazza of the same name, traversed by Via de' Tornabuoni, in central Florence, Tuscany, Italy. It is the mother church of the Vallumbrosan Order of Monks, founded in 1092 by a Florentine nobleman.
9. Chiesa dei Santi Girolamo e Francesco alla Costa
Florence
10. Oratorio di San Sebastiano de' Bini
Florence
Questions travellers ask
- Do I need a ticket to climb the Duomo in Florence?
- Yes. The climb up Brunelleschi's dome, part of the cathedral complex, is ticketed.
- What is the oldest church in Florence?
- Santa Felicita is probably the oldest church in the city after San Lorenzo. Santi Apostoli, a Romanesque church in the historic centre, is also among the oldest church buildings in Florence.
- Why is Santo Spirito known?
- Its interior, 97 m long, is one of the leading examples of Renaissance architecture. The basilica stands in the Oltrarno quarter, facing Piazza Santo Spirito.
- Is there an Anglican church in Florence?
- Yes. St Mark's English Church is an Anglican church in Florence.
- Which church is near the Pitti Palace?
- San Felice in Piazza, on the south bank of the Arno just west of the Pitti Palace. It is mainly Gothic, with a Renaissance façade by Michelozzo from 1457.