Churches: San Marco (Part 5 of 5)

From the San Marco convent, we walked next door to the San Marco church.  Like many churches in Florence, San Marco was started long ago, in the 1100's, and updated over the centuries until it was completed in the 1700's.  Over time, wonderful works of art have been added to the church.  Today, the church is decorated with an art collection that spans more than a 1,000 years.

Below are some highlights from our visit.

Diagram of the church and convent of San Marco, Florence.  The church appears in the lower left of the diagram.

The neoclassical façade of San Marco church by Fra Giovan Battista Paladini (1777-1778)

The nave of the church looking toward the altar.  The church is medium-sized relative to Florence's cathedral and basilicas.

The ceiling of the church was designed and carved by Pier Francesco Silvani (1679), with a painting added later tine, The Assumption by Giovanni Antonio Pucci (1725).

Above the alter is the dome decorated with frescoes by Alessandro Gherardini (1717).

The church's altar and pipe organ.  On the altar is a gold crucifix by Fra Angelico (1425-1428).

Bronze statue of Fra Angelico

The Annunciation possibly by Jacopo di Cione (1375).  This early fresco survives while some others have been plastered over or destroyed.   

A mosaic from the 800's.  It originally was located in Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome before being moved to San Marco in 1596. 

Bronze statue of Savonarola by R. Biggi (19th century)

Savonarola in profile with his distinctive nose

The Transfiguration by Giovan Battista Paggi (1596).  Greg especially liked this painting because the white image is so stark and draws the eye to it. 

We enjoyed touring San Marco.  Thanks for touring with us.