Santo Spirito, Florence

Santo Spirito (La basilica di Santa Maria del Santo Spirito ) is a church with Augustinian convent of the Renaissance in Florence, Oltrarno, the southern side of the Arno.

Architectural History

Its construction was a predecessor church of the Augustinians in the 13th century as a basis. Of these buildings the repertory is still preserved. The increasing importance of the church at the southern caller was also the construction of the Santa Trinita Bridge. 1428-1430 was Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) commissioned to redesign the church. After several designs of the building was first started in 1444 at the transept. After the death of Brunelleschi 1446 the construction was continued by Antonio Manetti, Giovanni di Gaiole, and Salvi d' Andrea. In 1482 the church was completed.

The building

The plant does not form a central space, as it would have corresponded to the Renaissance ideas because the previous building had given the shape of a Latin cross. The church front can already recognize the basilica building of the Church and is divided by three entrance portals. The facade is plain from shell stone blocks with a white- beige plaster. The three-aisled basilica is designed as a longitudinal building. It extends over eight yokes and is penetrated by a well three-aisled transept. Above the crossing a hanging dome with oculi and a 12 opaion / eye in the zenith. The modest facade belies that is located inside one of the purest Renaissance rooms of Florence. The interior is characterized by symmetry, harmony and harmony of the architecture, which is not a center, but runs away in a rhythmic repetition of the same module. Brunelleschi put the colors and lighting conditions aware of in order to achieve a specific spatial effect. The architect has the three-aisled basilica divided with 35 Corinthian columns, which extend into the transept and apse. The capitals and the arch ribs are made ​​of sandstone, the wall surface is white, creating a pleasant and noble -looking color contrast. The windows are framed by aedicules, the clerestory is pierced with arched windows. Nave and transept have a coffered ceiling flat ( coffered ceiling ), in the aisle we find a barrel vault.

The church has 38 side chapels, in which houses works by Donatello, Ghirlandaio and Sansovino. Interestingly, the place is also because here the young Michelangelo had studied in the lower rooms by candlelight secretly the human anatomy by dissecting corpses, which was officially not allowed. Here will also be issued as the earliest masterpiece respected crucifix.

Sacristy

The sacristy was built from 1488 to 1496 by Giuliano da Sangallo. In the vestibule mighty pillars bear a heavy barrel.

Monastery

Cloisters and monasteries are located on the Piazza page. In the coming of the 13th century repertory is the Museum Fondazione Romano nel Cenacolo di Santo Spirit with his heavily damaged Crucifixion fresco Orcagna and the Corsini Chapel. The two cloisters date from the 16th and 17th centuries.