Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Christ

Not far from Fortezza da Basso, the Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativityof Christ was built at the end of the 19th century, strongly desired by the daughter of Tsar Nicholas I. The crypt (lower church) - dedicated to San Nicola Taumaturgo - is reached through a Narthex by a staircase leading to the upper church, with a domed vault and a series of characteristic "onion domes" covered with polychrome scales of majolica.

The interior of the upper church is particularly bright, mainly frescoed by Russian painters (life of Christ, saints of Russian Orthodoxy, evangelists, early Christian symbols). The precious iconostasis that divides the space between believers and celebrants is contemporary with the construction of the church, while the old iconostasis of the crypt and a number of valuable icons and liturgical furnishings come from the Demidoff Chapel in San Donato in Polverosa. Demidoff was a rich family of Russian industrialists, moved to Florence in 1822, and also owner of the Medici complex in Pratolino.