Medieval Florence and the Gothic Basilicas

 The tour starts with the church of Santa Maria Novella, a Gothic basilica with vivid frescoes by Ghirlandaio and the most important fresco by Masaccio, the Trinity. Next we spend some time browsing in the famous historic Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella, where the Dominican monks prepared their renowned herbal concoctions.

Smelling the perfumes made there is a must! After a stroll down Via Tornabuoni, the city’s most exclusive shopping street, we reach the church of Santa Trinita. After a brief look inside, we make our way to the Ponte Vecchio, another icon of Florence, lined with historic buildings now used as goldmiths’ shops.

We then move on to Orsanmichele, a church, once used as a corn market, with external niches holding statues which depict the symbols of the mediaeval Florentine guilds. It is also worth entering the church to see the Gothic marble tabernacle by Andrea Orcagna.

Another little-known gem is the recently restored Palazzo Davanzati, a medieval house with its original frescoes, bedchambers and kitchen.
The last visit is to the church of Santa Croce, to see Michelangelo’s tomb and the frescoes by Giotto.