Located in the heart of the ancient city in front of the Bargello, it is the oldest Benedectine monastery in the city. It was founded in 978 by the mother of the Marquis Ugo of Tuscany, Willa. In 1285 the church underwent a radical Gothic-style renovation by Arnolfo di Cambio, who changed its orientation with the apse towards via del Proconsolo. The interior of the church, further transformed in the eighteenth century, presents an overlap of styles and structures; there are valuable works, including the Apparition of the Madonna to San Bernardo, by Filippino Lippi and the funeral monuments to Bernardo Giugni and Ugo di Toscana by Mino da Fiesole.
The Cloister of the Oranges was built around 1435 on a project by Bernardo Rossellino. Upstairs are still visible the frescoes with stories of the Life of San Benedetto, attributed to the "Master of the Orange Cloister".
Badia Fiorentina (Santa Maria Assunta)
Via del Proconsolo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italia
Not accessible for people in wheelchairs, due to the presence of steps at both entries.
