St. Mark's basilica in Florence stands in the city’s historic centre and was part of the complex of St. Mark’s convent, now the site of St. Mark’s National Museum.

In 1437, Cosimo the Elder decided to entrust Michelozzo with the renovation works of the church and the convent, and Fra Angelico was called, together with his associates, to decorate the walls. The Church was consecrated in 1443. The neoclassical facade, from 1777, is the work of fra’ Giovan Battista Paladini, while the bell tower dates back to 1512 and was created from the design by Baccio D’Agnolo.

The interior features the great crucifix by the School of Orcagna (1355), the “Transfiguration” by Giovan Battista Paggi (1596), the precious crucifix by Fra Angelico on the main altar, and other works by Passignano and Gianbologna, with decorations by Alessandro Allori. Some of the most important representatives of 15th century culture lived and worked in the convent, Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo, St. Anthony, Cosimo the Elder and fra Girolamo Savonarola, who ended up hanged and burnt in piazza della Signoria.


See also: Florence Sightseeing