I love this church for these reasons: it is home to

1 crucifix by Giotto

2 frescoes by Ghirlandaio

1 fresco by Botticelli

and two important people are buried here (among many others) : Botticelli and Amerigo Vespucci.

The Chiesa di San Salvatore di Ognissanti, or more simply Chiesa di Ognissanti is a Franciscan church founded by the lay order of the Umiliati, the church was dedicated to all the saints and martyrs, known and unknown. How’s that for inclusive?

If you would like to read more about the church, I’ve provided this synopsis which appears just inside the doorway. It’s pretty fascinating.

And, most importantly for anyone who loves Italian Renaissance art! Did you know one of the earliest masterpieces housed in the Uffizi is Giotto’s Madonna Enthroned or Maesta (this particular representation of the Virgin, enthroned and surrounded by a court-like company, is called a Maesta) 1310, created for the Ognissanti. That’s right, the first painting you really ever see at the Uffizi was created for this church.

Ok, you have your bearings? Let’s look at my favorite art works in the church:

First up: Ghirlandaio’s combination fresco of The Madonna of the Misericordia at top, and his Mourning over the Body of Christ in the lower register, both painted c. 1475

And the 2nd Ghirlandaio fresco: St. Jerome in the Study, 1480.

Next, the fresco by Botticelli from 1480, St. Augustine in his Study.

And then there’s the crucifix by Giotto!

Now for the two burial plaques in the pavement showing where the 2 luminaries are interred.

Amerigo Vespucci, the Florentine whose name would become very important in the making of the New World.

And Sandro Botticelli’s final resting place:

These are just my favorite parts of this important church. There are many more parts that are deserving of mention, and I’ll be writing about a few more of them soon in part 2.

Ci vediamo! I’ll be seeing you!