The square of Santissima Annunziata is one of the most beautiful in Florence. In its perfect Renaissance structure hides many anecdotes that not everyone knows. Each piece of the square can be analyzed in its single story – we will start talking about the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata.

The Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation (Basilica della Santissima Annunziata) is a Catholic church located in Santissima Annunziata Square, in Florence.

This basilica was founded in 1250 by the Seven Holy Founders, the seven Florentine youths belonging to patrician families that formed the Servite Order. The Servite is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders and its members (called Servite Friars or Servants of Mary) are devoted to the Mother of God.

The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata still is the mother church of the Servite Order.

Inside the Basilica there’s a miraculous painting of the Annunciation that, after being begun by one of the monks in 1252, was supposedly completed by an angel while he slept.

A special atrium (Chiostrino dei voti) has been built to house the votive offerings of the pilgrims that came to venerate the painting. This painting has always been venerated, especially by girls and women in childbed and, traditionally, the Florentine brides visit this shrine to leave their bouquets as a gift to the Virgin Mary.

This church is just on the Institute Galilei’s doorstep and is worth visiting.