Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in the heart of Florence, is a place rich in history and art, reflecting the centuries of transformations and events that have marked the city. Its origins date back to the 8th century, when it was built as one of the first Marian churches in the city. Over the centuries, Santa Maria Maggiore has undergone numerous renovations that have changed its appearance, but it has always maintained its central role in the religious and social life of Florence. The original building, probably a simple early Christian basilica, was renovated in the 13th century in Romanesque-Gothic style. Few visible traces remain from this phase, due to subsequent transformations, but the Romanesque bell tower, with its bifores and trifores, still bears witness to that era. In 1250, the church became a parish church and was expanded to accommodate a growing population of faithful. In the 14th century, Santa Maria Maggiore was again renovated, this time under the influence of Florentine Gothic. It is during this period that the church took on its current appearance, with a Latin cross plan, a single nave covered with trusses, and side chapels. The simple and austere facade, made of pietra serena stone, reflects the sobriety typical of Florentine Gothic churches. A particularly interesting element is the Romanesque bell tower, which rises on the left side of the church. Tall and slender, with a series of bifores and trifores, the bell tower is one of the oldest elements of the complex and offers a striking contrast with the simplicity of the Gothic facade. Inside, the church houses valuable works of art that span a wide range of time periods. Among these stands out the large wooden crucifix from the 13th century, attributed to Maestro Guglielmo, which dominates the high altar. This crucifix is a significant example of the artistic production of the time and represents one of the most precious treasures of Santa Maria Maggiore. In the 16th century, the church was further modified and decorated. An example of this period is the fresco of the “Madonna and Child” by Bernardo Daddi, dating back to around 1347, located above the side entrance. This fresco, although damaged by time, still retains the delicacy and expressive intensity typical of Florentine Gothic art. A curious anecdote concerns one of the works in the church: the bust of a woman set into the outer wall, known as the “Head of Dante”. According to legend, this head represents Beatrice, the muse of Dante Alighieri, but in reality it is a portrait of an unknown woman, probably dating back to the medieval period. In the 17th century, Santa Maria Maggiore underwent further Baroque renovations, which partially altered its Gothic appearance. The interventions mainly affected the interiors, with the addition of stucco decorations and Baroque altars. Among the works of this period, the altar of Saint Anthony of Padua stands out, with an altarpiece depicting the saint, a work by Pier Dandini. In the 19th century, the church underwent restorations that sought to restore it to its original Gothic appearance, removing many of the Baroque additions. These interventions, although criticized by some for their questionable fidelity to the original, have nevertheless contributed to preserving the structural and artistic integrity of the building.