Get the lowest rate for your Hotel in Florence through Booking.com

Get the best deal direct from the owners on FlorenceAccommodation.com

Book your unique Florentine Experience

Book your Tour

Book your Tickets ahead & Skip the line!

Buy Museum Tickets

Discovering Piazza Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno

For those who really want to know the true and picturesque Florence, then a trip to the area Oltrarno is a must moving away from the classic tours and itineraries which take you to Piazza del Duomo - Piazza della Signoria - Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Repubblica.

Looking for a Market in Piazza Santo Spirito?

Everyday Monday to Friday: local market

On the 2nd Sunday of the month: artisan market

Every 3rd Sunday of the month: Fierucolina di Santo Spirito.

When the Florentines say ”Oltrarno” (or “Diladdarno”) they intend the whole area on the other side of the Arno River (the side opposite of the river to the Duomo). This area is also known as the historic district of Santo Spirito and San Frediano, and even today it is still inhabited by many native Florentines, even if it is often an area of choice by foreigners for its authentic atmosphere and lively quarters. You can call it a Florentine rive gauche or left bank: the Oltrarno is the meeting place of excellence for intellectuals, artists and bohémiens.

Piazza Santo Spirito: from Art to Nightlife

Though you will find it animated during the day with markets, passing tourists and students of all ages, Piazza Santo Spirito really comes to life starting in the evening with the ”movida”  (the nightlife), filling up with both Florentine locals and visitors, creating an interesting and lively mix, sometimes even just a bit too much.

artists in piazza santo spirito

Want to join in on the fun?

The many cafés and restaurants around the square bring new meaning to "happy hour" and to the area. This group tour has you walking around the area and making two stops at sunset to wine taste and try out aperitivo treats before heading back towards the Duomo.

Ready for an aperitivo?

The "action" really begins in the early evening as the local galleries, artisans and boutiques begin to close up for the night and the restaurants, ”trattorie”, cafès and nightclubs start to open. Facing onto the square itself there quite a few places with varying themes (formal, causal, rustic, elegant), many of which have terraces, patios and covered tables outside where you can sit and eat, nurse a cold beer or a glass of Chianti.

santo spirito cafes

Piazza Santo Spirito was founded in the second half of the 1200’s. It was built to welcome the faithful that came to pray together with the Augustinian friars who had built a convent with a church dedicated to «Santa Maria d'Ognissanti e allo Santo Spirito» This church eventually became known simply as “Chiesa di Santo Spirito”, for which the square is named.

the fountain

In the center of the Square is a large octagonal shaped fountain in pietra serena, (soft sandstone) which houses a marble decoration in the center.

cosimo ridolfi statue

At the end of the Piazza, opposite the Basilica, you will find a monument to Cosimo Ridolfi, agronomist and founder of l’Accademia dei Georgofili.  This historic Florentine institution promotes the "art of Tuscan cultivation", in other words the study of agrarian agronomy, economy and geography in Tuscany.

Explore the Oltrarno's workshops

Join a unique 3 hour private walking tour of authentic Florence in the cool Oltrarno district to discover local artisan workshops and the chance to try your hand at the marvelous art of Florentine marbled paper yourself! A stop in Piazza Santo Spirito and into the basilica is also included, where you can admire Michelangelo's wooden Crucifix (ticket for the church to be paid on the spot).

Book the tour »

The Basilica and "Cenacolo" or Last Supper in Santo Spirito

It is impossible to miss the splendid Basilica di Santo Spirito as you enter into the square. Built on a design by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1444, the Basilica was the last masterpiece by this celebrated architect. At the time of his death the project was passed over to Antonio Manetti, Giovanni da Gaiole and Salvi d’Andrea, who finished the church by the end of the 1400’s.

basilica of santo spirito

The façade of the church was never finished and  the present front face is deprived of any type of decoration. But don’t let the simplicity of the façade fool you, inside there are several noteworthy pieces of artwork from artists like that of Filippino Lippi, Bernardo Rossellino, Maso di Banco and a wooden crucifix attributed to Michelangelo Buonarroti.

santo spirito inside

To the left of the church you can enter the ”Museo della Fondazione Romano” where you will find the beautiful Cenacolo di Santo Spirito, a true masterpiece by Andrea Orcagna.

The Cenacolo (meaning a depiction of the Last Supper) is exhibited in the refectory in the historic Augustinian convent.  This area was not originally in the project by Brunelleschi, and thus it has a different look about it: more of a late-Gothic charm. The Cenacolo was painted by Andrea Orcagna who also included Maria with a group of holy women painted over the Last Supper. Unfortunately over the centuries the affresco or fresco has been irredeemably ruined and only parts of it are visible today. Read more about the Cenacolo di Santo Spirito in this article.

It is always useful to know that in Piazza Santo Spirito, to the left of the building that houses the Cenacolo, you can find public bathrooms.

Palazzo Guadagni

Several “palazzo” and buildings from 1400’s face onto the square, many of which were inhabited in the Renaissance by noble families and rich merchants.

Palazzo Guadagni

Among these buildings you will find the elegant Palazzo Guadagni, also called “Palazzo Dei”, named after the family responsible for the construction of the building in the 1500’s. The palace has a characteristic loggia on the upper level, where the Florentine aristocrats that lived in the palazzo had a chance to spend time "outdoors" without heading out.

The "Market" Square

Piazza Santo Spirito regularly hosts many markets and fairs, all of which contribute to its reputation of a lively and “happening” place.

Every weekday, you will find stands for local artisans while on weekends there are stands filled with vintage objects and food products. On the 2nd Sunday of every month, except in July and August, you will find local and ethnic handcrafts at the “Mercato Arti e Mestieri d’Oltrarno.”  The 3rd Sunday of the month is dedicated to the Fierucolina di Santo Spirito with a mix of food products, organic producers and local agricultural.

PLACES TO VISIT NEARBY

The Brancacci Chapel

Situated inside the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine (in Piazza del Carmine).  This little chapel has a marvelous series of frescos painted by Masaccio, Filippino Lippi and Masolino da Panicale.

Palazzo Pitti

Constructed on a project by Brunelleschi, was the residence of the Medici Family, then of the Lorena family and finally that of the Savoia family when Florence was the capitol of Italy.  Inside you will find the Palatina Gallery, the Modern Art Gallery, the Costum Gallery, the Silver Museum and the Porcilan Museum.

Boboli Gardens

The monumental park and perhaps one of the mot beautiful in the city, where you will find splendid scuptures and artwork by Buontalenti e Giambologna (to name just a few).

Palazzo of Bianca Cappello

This building was the stage for the tormented love story between Francesco I de' Medici and Bianca Cappello, who was first his lover and later his wife. Unfortunately, the union was never truly accepted by the Medici family and both died under mysterious circumstances (a poisoning was suspected). The residence has a beautiful front facade with frescoes and is nestled among other buildings on via Maggio 26.

Ready to head out and explore Piazza Santo Spirito? Share with us what you like best!


Author: Cristina Romeo

Born in Florence at the end of the fabulous '70s, Cristina has always lived in the famous "cradle of the Renaissance". She's in love with her homeland, but also enjoys traveling and discovering new places. Cristina is mum to a lovely little girl, to whom she hopes to pass on all the passion and love of our precious, wonderful Tuscany.



Comments

Questions? The right place to ask is our Forum*

* Questions posted on Comments above will no longer receive replies: please ask on our Forum!

Our Travel Guides

  • DiscoverTuscany.com
  • VisitFlorence.com
  • Chianti.com
  • Tuscany Accommodation.com
  • Florence Accommodation.com