Home > Basilica della Santissima Annunziata di Firenze

The church was founded in 1250 by the seven original members of the Servite order. In 1252, a painting of the Annunciation, which had been begun by one of the monks but abandoned in despair because he did not feel he could create a beautiful enough image, was supposedly completed by an angel while he slept. This painting was placed in the church and became so venerated that in 1444 the Medici financed a new church. Michelozzo, who was the brother of the Servite prior, was commissioned to build the church, which was finally completed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1481.

Pilgrims who came to the church to venerate the miraculous painting often left wax votive offerings, many of them life-size models of the donor (sometimes complete with horses). By the late 18th century there were some six hundred of these images and they had become one of the city's great tourist attractions. In 1786, however, they were all melted down to make candles. The atrium which was built to house these figures, the Chiostrino dei Voti, is covered in frescoes begun in 1516 to mark the canonisation of Filippo Benizzi , founder of the Servites. These were largely painted by Andrea del SartoAndrea del Sarto (Andrea d'Agnolo di Francesco di Luca di Paolo del Migliore, Gualfonda, Florence, 1487 Florence, 1531). Was an outstanding painter of the Italian Renaissance. This celebrated painter of the Florentine school was born in 1487 (or perhaps 1, PontormoJacopo Carrucci (Pontormo, near Empoli, 1494 1557), usually known as Jacopo da Pontormo or simply Pontormo was a Florentine painter and portraitist, and one of the classic exemplars of the " Mannerist" style of the 16th century. He trained with the High R and Rosso Fiorentino and depict scenes from Benizzi's life and also from the life of the Virgin.

The interior of the church is dominated by the large tabernacleTabernacles redirects here. For the Feast of Tabernacles, see Sukkot. The Tabernacle is known in Hebrew as the Mishkan ("Place of [Divine] dwelling"). It was to be a portable central place of worship for the Children of Israel from the time they left anci designed by Michelozzo to house the miraculous painting, itself now so frequently repainted that it is impossible to distinguish clearly. Florentine brides traditionally visit the shrine to leave their bouquets. Other chapels contain frescoes by Andrea del CastagnoAndrea del Castagno (c. 1421 1457) was a Florentine painter. His works include The Last Supper and frescoes in S. Apollonia in Florence and a painted equestrian monument of Niccolo da Tolentino (1456) in the Cathedral in Florence. Vasari alleged that Cast. The organ ( 1628Events March 1 writs were issued in February 1628 by Charles I of England that every county in England (not just seaport towns) pay ship tax by this date August 10 The Swedish 64 gun sailing ship HMS Wasa sinks on her maiden voyage September 6 Puritans se) is the oldest in Florence and the second oldest in Italy. The circular tribune containing the high altar is unusual and is surrounded by chapels.

The church contains the tombs of the artists Baccio Bandinelli, Pietro Tacca and GiambolognaGiambologna born as Jean Boulogne also known as Giovanni Da Bologna and Giovanni Bologna ( 1529 1608) was a sculptor who best known for his marble statuary and works in bronze. Giambologna's La Archetectura in the Bargelo, Florence Giambologna was born in.

The cloister, known as the Chiostri dei Morti, contains the famous Madonna del Sacco by Andrea del SartoAndrea del Sarto (Andrea d'Agnolo di Francesco di Luca di Paolo del Migliore, Gualfonda, Florence, 1487 Florence, 1531). Was an outstanding painter of the Italian Renaissance. This celebrated painter of the Florentine school was born in 1487 (or perhaps 1. The Cappella di San Luca, which opens off it, has belonged to the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno since 1565Events March 1 the city of Rio de Janeiro is founded April 27 Cebu City is established becoming the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. August 28 St. Augustine, Florida (named after St. Augustine), established. It is the oldest remaining European. Many artists are buried in its vault, including Benvenuto Cellini, Pontormo, Franciabigio, Giovanni Montorsoli and Lorenzo Bartolini .