Preachers and Painters: Dominican Treasures of Florence
Explore Florence’s Dominican treasures: Santa Maria Novella’s frescoes and Fra Angelico’s San Marco, where preaching, prayer, and Renaissance art reveal the city’s sacred soul.
Tour Features
Local Guide
Certified Official Guide
Tour Languages
English, Italian, Spanish, French, German
Duration
3 hours
Tour Size Options
Private
Accessibility
Fully Accesible
Skip the Line
And save time
Itinerary
-
Begin your journey at Santa Maria Novella, the city’s great Dominican church. Admire its iconic façade and step inside to discover Masaccio’s Trinity, Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel, and Filippino Lippi’s works—artworks that express Dominican preaching through beauty and symbolism.
-
-
Tour Details
Full Description
Step into the world of Dominican spirituality and Renaissance art with this private guided tour dedicated to two of Florence’s most influential churches. The Dominicans, known as the “Order of Preachers,” shaped both the religious and cultural life of the city, leaving behind monuments that blend deep theology with artistic genius.
Your journey begins at Santa Maria Novella, the great Dominican basilica near Florence’s main square. Here you will discover striking frescoes by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, and Filippino Lippi, masterpieces that bring the Gospel vividly to life. The church’s architecture and symbolic decorations reveal the Dominicans’ mission to teach and inspire the faithful.
The tour continues to San Marco Convent, once home to the celebrated friar and preacher Savonarola. Walking through its cloisters and cells, you will encounter the luminous frescoes of Fra Angelico, whose art reflects a union of prayer and beauty. Each painting invites quiet contemplation, transforming the visit into a spiritual experience.
This guided tour offers not only a historical and artistic journey but also a chance to reflect on the Dominican tradition of preaching through both word and image. It is a profound way for Catholic visitors to encounter Florence’s sacred heritage.
What is Included
- Included:
- Included: Private licensed guide with expertise in Catholic heritage and Renaissance art
- Included: Guided visit of Santa Maria Novella (interior)
- Included: Guided visit of San Marco Convent and Museum (cloisters, frescoed cells, chapter house, Savonarola’s quarters)
- Included: Personalized itinerary with optional extension to additional Dominican or Catholic sites in Florence Not included:
- Not included: Meals and Drinks
- Not included: Gratuities
Important Information
-
Duration: 2.5–3 hours (flexible upon request)
-
Included Sites: Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, San Marco Convent and Museum
-
Highlights: Masaccio’s Trinity, fresco cycles by Ghirlandaio and Lippi, Fra Angelico’s intimate frescoes, cloisters of San Marco, stories of Savonarola
-
Entrance Fees: Not included – tickets for Santa Maria Novella and San Marco can be arranged in advance
-
Accessibility: Both sites are largely accessible, though some cloisters and stairways may present limitations
-
Dress Code: Modest attire required (shoulders and knees covered) for entry to sacred spaces
-
Guide: Licensed private guide with expertise in Catholic heritage, theology, and Renaissance art
-
Extensions: The tour can be expanded to include additional Dominican sites or other Florentine churches upon request
Reviews
Be the first to leave a review.
Photos and Videos
- Spiritual ExperiencesSightseeingMuseums
Florence Cathedral and the Renaissance of Faith Tour
Duration: 3 hours