Santissima Annunziata: the foundling hospital and the perfect square

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Piazza della Santissima Annunziata

   The square most people call the most beautiful in Florence, and they may be right — three sides of matching arcades, the equestrian *Ferdinando I* in the middle, fountains of sea-monsters at the corners. Stand under the central statue and turn slowly; the symmetry is the whole argument.

   01

   Piazza della Santissima Annunziata

   The square most people call the most beautiful in Florence, and they may be right — three sides of matching arcades, the equestrian *Ferdinando I* in the middle, fountains of sea-monsters at the corners. Stand under the central statue and turn slowly; the symmetry is the whole argument.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Ospedale degli Innocenti — the loggia

   The long arcade on the square's east side, *Brunelleschi*'s 1419 foundling hospital — usually called the first truly Renaissance building. The blue-and-white *della Robbia* roundels of swaddled babies run above the arches. You don't have to go in to feel why it mattered; the rhythm of the columns does it from the pavement.

   02

   Ospedale degli Innocenti — the loggia

   The long arcade on the square's east side, *Brunelleschi*'s 1419 foundling hospital — usually called the first truly Renaissance building. The blue-and-white *della Robbia* roundels of swaddled babies run above the arches. You don't have to go in to feel why it mattered; the rhythm of the columns does it from the pavement.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   The wheel (la ruota)

   At the loggia's left end, the small barred window where, for centuries, a mother could leave a baby on a turning wheel and stay unseen. A plaque marks it. Quietly the most affecting thing on the walk — pause here even if you skip the museum above.

   03

   The wheel (la ruota)

   At the loggia's left end, the small barred window where, for centuries, a mother could leave a baby on a turning wheel and stay unseen. A plaque marks it. Quietly the most affecting thing on the walk — pause here even if you skip the museum above.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Basilica della Santissima Annunziata

   The church that gives the square its name, behind its own colonnaded forecourt. Florentines were married here for generations; the frescoed atrium is free to step into. Dim, gilded, and far less visited than the cathedral — go in for five minutes of quiet.

   04

   Basilica della Santissima Annunziata

   The church that gives the square its name, behind its own colonnaded forecourt. Florentines were married here for generations; the frescoed atrium is free to step into. Dim, gilded, and far less visited than the cathedral — go in for five minutes of quiet.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Via dei Servi

   The straight street running south-west out of the square, lined up so the *Duomo*'s dome fills the end of it — one of the best framed views in the city, and most people miss it because they're looking at shop windows. Walk it slowly with your eyes up.

   05

   Via dei Servi

   The straight street running south-west out of the square, lined up so the *Duomo*'s dome fills the end of it — one of the best framed views in the city, and most people miss it because they're looking at shop windows. Walk it slowly with your eyes up.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Piazza Brunelleschi and the university

   Cut west through the old university quarter — lecture halls, the national library annexe, students on the steps. Ordinary academic Florence with no queues. From here it's a level walk to Santa Maria Novella for the train.

   06

   Piazza Brunelleschi and the university

   Cut west through the old university quarter — lecture halls, the national library annexe, students on the steps. Ordinary academic Florence with no queues. From here it's a level walk to Santa Maria Novella for the train.

   ◉Street View