Church of Santa Felicita
Church of Santa Felicita
4.5
About
The small church of Santa Felicita was used by the Medici family dukes and holds the Mannerist artist Pontormo's masterpiece, "The Deposition." The unusual colors, exaggerated poses and expressive portraits are an unforgettable theatrical scene..
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Neighbourhood: Oltrarno
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles123 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
52
Average
17
Poor
1
Terrible
0

130Doug
Navarre, FL1,233 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
We had grabbed a quick meal somewhere nearby and just stumbled onto this place. Absolutely beautiful place that you shouldn't miss. It's a bit brighter in this cathedral than in some others. The smell of incense combined with the frescoes and paintings, and we could have stayed in here longer, but it's a big city that calls to every sense!
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen P
Minneapolis, MN1,021 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
This church was originally built at the end of the Roman road and in its earliest days was Orthodox, as some of the burials show. It was largely rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries (the sacristy dates to the 15th). It was the chapel that the Medici family used and was on the path of the secret Vasari corridor that stretched from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, their residence. They would stop along that corridor and watch from a high balcony at the back of the church. It also contains a baroque painting masterpiece, the Deposition of Pontormo, one of the early baroque masters just subsequent to Michaelangelo, the Renaissance master whose Sistine Chapel ceiling is thought by many to be the first baroque painting. Pontormo's work is full of bright color, energy and flowing energy characteristic of the baroque. And it comes before the high italian baroque wind machine takes over. (My impression of the many of the churches in Rome is the somebody forgot to turn off the wind machine!)

The architecture retains a bit of Renaissance sobriety. The paintings in the side chapels are unusually well done baroque pieces as well, although i do not know the painters.

I was there in August and there were hordes of tourists (actually a little odd for August which tends to be the quieter month of the summer). Not many stopped in here so it was a nice way to cool off a little and rest our feet in addition to seeing a baroque masterwork. (Males should remember to remove your hat whenever you enter a church in Florence. The idea is not to let anything get between you and God. Some churches are patrolled by scowling monks to remind you.)
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JohnRegoPark
Rego Park, NY1,134 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Couples
This church is conveniently located just on the opposite side of the Ponte Vecchio near the base of the bridge. Walk about forty feet and you will see it on your left at the end of a small plaza. The church is generally open, but closes for about two hours for lunch at around 12:30. The Pontormo painting is immediately to your right when you enter the church. You absolutely cannot miss it, especially since it is beautifully illuminated. The painting was recently restored, as was the whole chapel, and is stunning. There is no cost to enter, and you get the opportunity to see a work in its intended surroundings, instead of on a museum wall.
Written 23 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lesleyhappydays
Manchester, UK28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Couples
We stumbled upon this church. The Vasari corridor partially obscured the front of the church. The Medici family attended mass without the general public being able to see them. Contains some impressive artwork. Well worth a visit. No charge.it was very quiet and rather peaceful. Pontormo’s work on the right as you enter.
Written 28 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ron D
Ottawa, Canada1,608 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Couples
Santa Felicita contains some fine artworks, plus the special Medici balcony where the Vasari corridor cuts across the face of the church. This balcony enabled the Medici family to attend mass while walking between Palazzo Pitti and the Uffizi, without having to mingle with commoners. It comes as a bit of a surprise to most visitors, who may have come to see the art of Pontormo.
Written 14 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maggi713
Baltimore, MD12,090 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Couples
This is a church I have wanted to see for many years and have never been there when it was open. It took two attempts on this trip to get in. This church is the oldest church on the Oltrarno. You might miss it as the front of the church is partially obscured by the Vasari Corridor, which joins Palazzo Vecchio and Pitti Palace and was built 1565 by Giorgio Vasari. On the inside of the corridor there is a large window, covered by a thick gate, where the Grand Dukes of the Medici family used to listen to the mass without being seen by the people below. It is famous for the masterpiece of Mannerist painting exposed in its interior, the Deposition by Pontormo. The Deposition from the Cross is an altarpiece, completed in 1528, depicting the Deposition of Christ by the Italian Renaissance painter Jacopo Pontormo. (It is considered to be the artist's surviving masterpiece.) The church is open from Monday thru Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Written 20 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David Spiel
NYC190 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Solo
It is a lovely little church even though it's not a very important church to see. Otherwise I would say there are five or ten other churches that are more interesting in Florence.

You can see a video of this church in my film: Florence: The Smaller Churches of Firenze on my YouTube channel: Art and Travel by Dave.
Written 29 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Philip H
Gothenburg, Sweden819 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Couples
Chiesa di Santa Felicita is a beautiful but not spectacular church situated at Piazza di Santa Felicita. We were not aware of the Medici balcony and as a consequence missed to see it. We will go back to the church the next time in Florence.
Written 1 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia45,458 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Couples
Church of Santa Felicita is a lovely building with some beautiful paintings and sculptures. Interesting architecture. Worth a look if you are in the area, especially if you are on your way to Pitti Palace.
Written 18 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JOHN04LEEDS
Berwick upon Tweed, UK280 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2017 • Couples
quiet church but don't miss the Medici balcony at the rear of the church which the family were able to access via the Vasari corridor in order to hear mass in this quite unassuming church.
Written 24 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Church of Santa Felicita, Florence

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