Apartments in Florence
Santa Maria Novella

The zone
Santa Maria Novella The Piazza Santa Maria Novella was opened by the city of Florence in the year 1287 and its construction finished in 1325, after all the houses and buildings there had been pulled down. It was used in order to welcome the numerous faithful who wanted to reach the Dominican Brotherhood who lived there in an adjoining friary. 
Thanks to its size it soon became the setting for celebrations and other events, as for example the yearly chariot race (Palio dei Cocchi). This custom existed between 1563 and late in the 19th century. Two obelisks marked the start and the finish of the race. They were set up to imitate an antique Roman circus. The obelisks rest on bronze tortoises, made in 1608 by the sculptor Giambologna. 
The impressive Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, which facade is considered one of the most important works of the Florentine Renassaince art, is the very first masterpiece a tourist can admire arriving by train, thanks to its 68mt high bell tower. The latter was built, between 1332 and 1333 by Jacopo Talenti, on ancient foundations dating back to the XIII century. It is a great model of Romanesque stile, while the top of the tower is a Gothic element.
In this district there are the central railway station, the Palazzo dei Congressi and the Fortezza da basso, the main area to use for international exhibitions. That’s the reason why this is the most hectic and busy area, full of taxis and busses carrying tourists, businessmen and residents.