Dominated by the impressive façade of its eponymous church, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella is one of the most picturesque and convenient piazzas in Florence. It is a quick walk from almost anywhere in the city and especially close to the train station. Use the piazza as a staging ground for adventures both within and outside Florence proper or simply as a resting place on a busy day. Tour sites around the edges and relax on some of the benches dotting the center.
Join crowds of locals and tourists heading to the square, which is the center of life for the Santa Maria Novella quarter. Stand first in awe before the Church of Santa Maria Novella, whose façade is the oldest still standing in the city.
Walk slowly around the edge of the piazza, which was created in 1287 under the Florentine Republic. Appreciate the elegant arches of the 13th-century loggia of the Hospital of San Paolo, now home to the Novecento Museum.
In the center, examine the two marble obelisks, each of which sits on top of four bronze turtles. Crowing each obelisk is a Florentine lily, marking it as a goal post for a chariot race that was still held here well into the 16th century.
Nearby, visit the pharmacy of the church’s Dominican monks. Relax on one of the glass-and-metal benches and watch people flit by, talking excitedly about their daily plans.
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella is located just a few blocks, a 6-minute walk, from Florence’s main train station, which bears the same name. Walk from Piazza del Duomo or the Ponte Vecchio in about 10 minutes. A large number of bus stops within walking distance make the square easy to access from most places in the city, especially given its proximity to the train station. Parking in the area is extremely limited, but there are a few metered lots within walking distance.
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