The main façade is divided into two sections: the lower part looks like the Romanesque style of the Baptisery while the strict geometrical patterns of the higher part were designed by Leon Battista Alberti, the most important perspective theorist of the 15th century. The splendid Chiostro Verde (Green Cloister) of Santa Maria Novella is also worth a visit. The name of the cloister comes from the fact that green is the predominant colour of the fresco cycle painted by Paolo Uccello, still visible and in perfect shape. Piazza Santa Croce is probably the most scenographic and picturesque square of Florence, a perfect square lined with elegant Renaissance palaces. The main attraction of the square is the Basilica di Santa Croce, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio and completed in the middle of the 14th century, apart from the façade and the bell tower which were completed in the 19th century. Crossing the Cloister of Arnolfo you get to the Cappella dei Pazzi, (the Pazzi Chapel), an excellent example of Renaissance architecture, built by Brunelleschi on behalf of the Pazzi family, which went to the records for the conspiracy against the Medici family.
The Chiesa di San Marco is located on the square of the same name, at the end of Via Cavour. It is a simple and elegant complex, with a Renaissance base but with a main façade which dates from the 18th century. Beside the church you have the Convento di San Marco (the Convent of San Marco) which houses the Museum: here you find numerous masterpieces by Beato Angelico, such as the famous Annunciation, and works by Paolo Uccello and domenico Ghirlandaio. If you want to explore the area around San Marco you can not miss the Galleria dell'Accademia, in Via Ricasoli. Founded in the 18th century, the Gallery offers a vast sample of paintings from the 16th century, but the real treasure are two sculptures: the Prigioni by Michelangelo (the two others are housed in the Museum of Louvres), and the masterpiece by the Florentine artist, the David statue. A copy of is still locared in Piazza della Signoria. The David, the symbol of the city, was made by Michelangelo to celebrate the return of the Medici family to Florence, after having been driven out in 1494.
Not far from the entrance of the Gallery you find Piazza Santissima Annunziata, a big, elegant square, rationally designed accompanied by the church with the same name and the Spedale degli Innocenti. The Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata was rebuilt by Michelozzi in the 15th century, on an already existing building. The most important characteristic is the splendid Renaissance portico and the chapels inside which preserve many art works. The Spedale degli Innocenti also features a beautiful portico, a suggestive example of Renaissance architecture designed by Brunelleschi, embellished with the ceramics by the Della Robbia workshop. Its linear architecture defines the harmonious style of all other buildings in the square.
The churche Santa Maria del Carmine and Santo Spirito are located at the other side of the river, Oltrarno. If you take Ponte Santa Trinita you get right on Via di Santo Spirito. Also in this case the square and the church have the same name and are both an admirable example of the Florentine Renaissance. The Chiesa di Santo Spirito was designed by Brunelleschi, the main façade dates from the 18th century and the bell tower was built by Baccio d'Agnolo. Sober and refined, the interior is a Latin cross and preserves a beautiful crib by Ghirlandaio's pupils, apart from other paintings from the Florentine school.
You reach the Church and the Square of Santa Maria del Carmine by walking along Via di Santo Spirito. The church has Romanesque-Gothic origins but was rebuilt in the 18th century due to a devastating fire. The Brancacci Chapel is a masterpiece of renaissance painting, with frescoes by the maestros of this period such as Masaccio, Filippino Lippi and Masolino da Panicale.