Linear forms, harmony and balance are the characteristics that stand out when looking at the basilica from the outside.

The church has very ancient origins dating back to 1200 when the Dominicans arrived in Florence. Skilled preachers, they distinguished themselves in the fight against heretics, thanks above all to the work of Pietro da Verona, but also scholars of astronomy, mathematics and theology. Thanks to the commitment of the Dominican friars, Santa Maria Novella soon became a fundamental spiritual and cultural centre for the city.

The structure remained incomplete until 1400 when the famous artist Leon Battista Alberticalled by the Rucellai family, designed the facade in Renaissance style by inserting its classical forms on the pre-existing Gothic architecture. Once through the entrance, the interior of the basilica offers other fascinating surprises: Masaccio's Trinity, Giotto's crucifix and Brunelleschi's wooden crucifixbut also Domenico Ghirlandaio's frescoes that offer us a glimpse of the life of the Florentine aristocracy in 1400. The visit is not limited to the church, but continues also in the museum which includes: the green cloister (painted with "sugo d'erbe e terra verde" - "herb sauce and green earth") by Masaccio and the chapter house, better known as the "cappellone degli Spagnoli" - "big Spanish chapel" frescoed with a very refined cycle dedicated to the Dominican order and which owes its name to the consort of the Grand Duke Cosimo I, Eleonora di Toledo, of Spanish origin. Once we have visited the church and the convent we will move to thepharmacy of S. Maria Novella whose history goes hand in hand with that of the basilica. Since 1300 the Dominican friars started to produce perfumed waters, in particular rose water which was considered a remedy for plagues and infections and in 1500 the fame of the perfumes produced in the pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella crossed the Italian borders thanks to the queen of France, Caterina de' Medici. In 1612, the pharmacy became autonomous from the convent (although the direction remained in the hands of the Dominican friars) and its history of essences, elixirs and perfumes continues today.