The church of Santa Maria Novella was conceived and built by Dominican friars Sisto da Firenze and Ristoro da Campi. Construction began in 1246 on the site 10th-century Dominican chapel of Santa Maria delle Vine. In 1279 the naves were completed the naves, and in the second half of the 14th century Jacopo Talenti completed the Bell Tower and the Sacristy. The beautiful façade of the church is the result of the remodelling undertaken by Leon Battista Alberti between 1456 and 1470. The talented architect created a magnificent portal and the entire upper part of the church with its clear rhythmic squares, inlaid with marble.
The interior of the church is divided into three naves by pylons in the form of a bunch of columns, which support huge arches with lancet vaults. The interior underwent renovation in the 16th century. This church contains many works of art XIV-XVI centuries of such masters as Vasari, Ghirlandaio, Brunelleschi, Giuliano da Sangallo, Rossellino, Ghiberti and many others.
Through the lattice gate you can enter the Romanesque monastery courtyard (1350) and on to the Great Cloister, surrounded by arched walls that are painted by Florentine artists. painted by Florentine artists of the 15th and 16th centuries. The green courtyard gets its name name due to the green background of the Uccello frescoes, which were badly damaged during the 1966 floods.
The Monastery's Chapter Room (Spanish Chapel) is a brilliant creation by Jacopo Talenti (1359). This chapel was intended for church services attended by Eleonora Tolenti. Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I, and her entourage. The chapel is decorated with frescoes by Andrea di Buonaiuto (mid-14th century).
