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Location
Florence is a city steeped in history,
and there is no finer example than the spectacular Duomo. Situated
just 100 metres from the Hotel Santa Maria Novella Florence, Brunelleschi’s
world-famous dome crowns the enormous and decorative Santa
Maria del Fiore – bigger than the Capitol building
in Washington, the Pantheon in Rome and, perhaps surprisingly, St.
Peters Basilica in Rome – as the cathedral sits proudly as
the centrepiece of the city. Just opposite stands the Baptistery,
who’s intricately carved bronze doors were christened by Michelangelo
himself as “the Gates of Paradise”. Click on the Interactive
Map of Florence to see just how conveniently placed the
Hotel Santa Maria Novella is in relation to this most splendid of
Florentine monuments. A satellite image version is also available,
giving some idea of the cathedral’s impressive scale.
Being located in the heart of the
historic centre, Hotel Santa Maria Novella Florence
offers easy access to all of the city’s historical landmarks.
A pleasant five minute stroll brings you to the most famous of all
of the city’s museums, the Galleria degli Uffizi. One of the
oldest and most famous art collections in the world, the Uffizi
Gallery holds priceless works by Giotto,
Da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo,
Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio
to name but a few. Booking in advance is advisable and can be done
either over the phone or online. Check our list of Useful Links
for more details on the museums and the official website and booking
page.
Piazza Santa Maria Novella,
home to the church of the same name, contains numerous further riches.
The piazza was home to the great Florentine Palio dei Cocchi, or
chariot races - the two obelisks at either end being testament to
this. Santa Maria Novella, the oldest grand basilica
in the city, is complete with a Romanesque-Gothic bell tower and
sacristy and is replete with fine artworks funded by a string of
the richest Florentine families, many of whom are buried in the
cloisters as a reward for there generosity. It is particularly famous
for its frescoes, painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio,
and his soon to be world-renowned apprentice Michelangelo
and contains a historically significant pulpit. It was from this
pulpit that the first attacks from the Catholic Church on Galileo
sprung, eventually leading to his indictment for heresy as a result
of his theories on the motion of the Earth.
Upon leaving the Piazza to the south
one comes immediately to the hub of Florence’s shopping area
which contains via Tornabuoni, Borgognissanti and Via della Vigna
Nuova, all of which are renowned for their luxurious shopping. Only
a few minutes walk from here brings you to the famous River
Arno which meanders towards the 14th century Ponte
Vecchio. The only surviving bridge from that era, it is
lined with fascinating wooden jeweller stalls which have survived
centuries.
How to Reach Florence:
Two airports serve Florence: Amerigo
Vespucci 5km north-west of the city centre and Galileo Galilei near
Pisa.
The number 62 bus runs from the
airport Amerigo Vespucci to Stazione di Santa Maria Novella and
takes around 15 minutes. The quicker SITA shuttle bus connects the
airport Amerigo Vespucci to the SITA bus station just to the west
of Piazza della Stazione.
Regular trains part from Galileo
Galilei airport to Stazione de Sant Maria Novella. This journey
takes about one hour.
The A1 motorway is the best way
of arriving in Florence by car. It connects with Bologna and Milan
in the north and Rome and Naples in the south. If travelling from
the North, exit at Firenze Nord. If travelling from the south, exit
at Firenze Sud.
How to Reach Us:
From Florence Airport 'A. Vespucci':
Follow directions to "Centro Città "(city centre),
once you are in "Piazza delle Stazione (railway station) you
should turn onto Via della Scala towards the church of Santa Maria
Novella. At the end of via della Scala you will be in Piazza Santa
Maria Novella. The entrance is opposite the doorway of the church.
From the Highway (coming from south
- Rome): From Highway A1 exit at Firenze Sud (Florence south) and
follow signs for Viali di circonvallazione - City centre and Stazione
(Railway station). Once you reach Piazza della Stazione (railway
station) you should turn onto Via della Scala towards the church
of Santa Maria Novella. At the end of via della Scala you will be
in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. The main entrance of the Hotel is
located opposite the principal entrance of Santa Maria Novella.
From the Highway (coming from north
- Milan): Exit the A1 main highway at Firenze Nord (Florence North
exit highway A11) and follow directions to the bulls-eye 'centro
città' (city centre). Once you are in Piazza della Stazione
(the railway station) you should turn onto via della Scala towards
the church of Santa Maria Novella. At the end of via della Scala
you will be in Piazza Santa Maria Novella and will find the Hotel.
From railway station Santa Maria
Novella: with the platforms behind you take the exit on your left.
Outside the railway station you will see, just in front of you,
the red brick back of the church of Santa Maria Novella. Take the
little street that will take you to the Piazza Santa Maria Novella.
Walking down this street will bring you into the square where you
will be facing the main entrance of the hotel.
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