“A church with an alpine feel in the heart of Florence?” someone utters in disbelief. That’s the Chiesa di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice for you – a fascinating juxtaposition. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice stands in the Novoli district, a testament to Florence’s evolving architectural landscape. Construction began in 1963, the brainchild of architects Emilio Dori and Giancarlo Facchini, with Guido Morozzi contributing to the design. Built using stone, cement, and a striking copper roof, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice possesses an unusual charm. Its design evokes the alpine regions, a unique feature in a city renowned for Renaissance architecture. Inside, the church opens into a three-aisled layout. The side aisles, elevated and connected by cement arches reminiscent of matronies, converge at the presbytery dominated by a solitary altar. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice is not just a modern marvel. It houses historical treasures, including a tabernacle attributed to Michelozzo and a 16th-century polychrome wooden crucifix. A particularly noteworthy piece is the fresco in the right aisle. This artwork depicting the Lamentation of Christ, attributed to Antonio Veneziano (circa 1370), was originally part of the Tabernacle of the Agli on Via di Novoli. It was carefully detached and relocated to the church in 1957, ensuring its preservation.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,