Florence Churches

This article gets it about right. https://www.planetware.com/italy/top-rated-churches-in-florence-i-zzz-14.htm

Mike - What a great link! I was going to recommend Santa Croce.

Santa Croce for sure, and the Pazzi Chapel next door. Also Or San Michele, originally a storage building converted to a beautiful and unusual church. The Medici Chapels have their over-the-top tombs.

The top 7:
Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) & Baptistery
Santa Maria Novella
Santa Croce
San Miniato al Monte
San Lorenzo
Orsanmichele
Santo Spirito

The one I consider the prettiest is San Miniato, but my favorite is
Santa Margherita de’ Cerchi, which was Dante’s church. His great love, Beatrice, who inspired his poetry and guided him in his Divine Comedy’s Paradise, is buried there. It is located in the narrow alley leading to Dante’s house.

Thank you Mike! That is a fantastic article.

Thank you Roberto, you have been so helpful!

Thank you to everyone who has responded.

That’s such a great article! Thank you

My experience- I remember the first time I went to Santa Croce, I just tagged along as a youngster. My mind was BLOWN knowing Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli were buried there! It was a full 360 degree WHAT

It may not be important to some visiting the graves or perhaps mausoleums of these world respected honored, studied and admired people. But if you are there.. I have to say it’s quite the experience. It’s literally a bit frightening in a good way. I was in AWE and still am every time I visit Santa Croce.
It’s magic. Just my thoughts.

Bookmarking this and making notes for Florence next year :-) Thank you!

Adding Basilica della Santissima Annunziata on the notable piazza of the same name. The frescoes in the entry "Cloister of the Votivi" are wonderful.

https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/santissima-annunziata.html
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/Santissima-Annunziata.html
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-monuments/piazza-ss-annunziata.html

And Santa Trinita for the Sassetti Chapel's "Stories of St. Francis" frescoes. That's a biggie as Ghirlandaio painted the contemporary figures from life, as they really appeared, in clothing of the period. Look for Lorenzo de' Medici and his 3 sons in "The Confirmation of the Rule" scene.

https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/santa-trinita.html
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/santa-trinita.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassetti_Chapel

Neither of these two churches require an entry fee.

Don't forget Dante Alighieri is also at Santa Croce. As well as Rossini

For anyone planning a visit to Santa Maria Del Fiore , this PBS - NOVA program on how the dome was built will greatly enrich your experience - https://youtu.be/RUBnNDloGHg

Rossini is at S. Croce, but Dante Alighieri is buried in Ravenna and his tomb in S. Croce is empty. Other notable tombs at S. Croce are Galilei (astronomer), Machiavelli (political writer), Alfieri (poet and drama writer), Michelangelo (artist).