Basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence is an exceptional example of Renaissance and Baroque religious architecture and art. Its history dates back to 1268, when it was founded as part of a Carmelite convent. The church is famous for hosting the Brancacci Chapel, decorated by Masaccio, Masolino, and completed by Filippino Lippi. These frescoes represent a crucial moment in art history, marking the beginning of the Renaissance in painting. The basilica has undergone numerous changes and renovations over the centuries. In 1328, the complex was expanded and further modified in 1464 with the addition of a chapter house and a refectory. However, one of the most significant events in the church’s history was the devastating fire of 1771, which destroyed much of the interior, sparing only some areas, including the Brancacci Chapel. The reconstruction, carried out between 1775 and 1782, was entrusted to architects Giuseppe Ruggieri and Giulio Mannaioni. The church’s facade, however, remains unfinished, presenting a rough appearance in stone and brick, a stark contrast to the richly decorated interior. The single nave with a Latin cross plan is adorned with ten side chapels, each decorated with stuccoes and painted altarpieces. The artworks decorating these chapels include paintings by artists such as Giorgio Vasari, Gregorio Pagani, and Bernardino Poccetti. One of the most important chapels is the Main Chapel, which houses a monumental altar made of colored marbles, bronze, and semi-precious stones, as well as the remains of Blessed Angiolo Mazzinghi. The choir contains a funerary monument to Pier Soderini, a work by Benedetto da Rovezzano, and the baldaquin behind the altar is by Domenico Atticciati. Another chapel of notable interest is the Corsini Chapel, dedicated to Saint Andrew Corsini. Built in 1675, the chapel was designed by Pier Francesco Silvani in Baroque style. The dome frescoes, executed by Luca Giordano, and the stuccoes by Giovan Battista Foggini, adorn this chapel that was fortunately spared from the 1771 fire. The Crucifix of Providence Chapel, located in the left arm of the transept, is decorated with stuccoes and 18th-century frescoes and houses a crucifix considered miraculous, painted on paper. The chapel walls are adorned with altarpieces depicting the Holy Cross, creating an atmosphere of devotion and mystery. The convent adjacent to the basilica has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries, including fires and bombings. Nevertheless, it still preserves some original structures, such as the square cloister dating back to 1597-1612, with round arches and columns in pietra serena. The lunettes of the cloister are decorated with frescoes by various authors from the 17th and 18th centuries, although only some have survived to this day. Another area of great interest is the Cenacle room, which houses the monumental “Last Supper” by Alessandro Allori, completed in 1582. The room is also decorated with fragments of detached frescoes depicting Stories of the Passion and other religious themes, dating back to the late 14th century. The basilica has been the seat of numerous confraternities throughout its history, which have contributed to the religious and social life of the neighborhood. Among these, the company of Sant’Agnese, composed of widows who organized theatrical performances on sacred subjects, was particularly active and attracted numerous spectators.