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The Basilica di Santa Maria Novella (English: New Basilica of Saint Mary, colloquially Santa Maria Novella) was a church located in the Italian city of Florence. It was chronologically the first great basilica, as well as the city's principal Dominican church.
History
The church, the adjoining cloister, and chapter house contained a store of art treasures and funerary monuments. Especially famous are frescoes by masters of Gothic and early Renaissance. They were financed through the generosity of the most important Florentine families, who ensured themselves of funerary chapels on consecrated ground.[1]
During their reign, the Medici family often visited Santa Maria Novella for mass. In 1478, the basilica played host to a meeting of the Pazzi family, who were conspiring to commit the assassination of Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother, Giuliano.[1]
Deep within the basilica lay hidden the tomb of Darius, which was explored by the Assassin Ezio Auditore shortly after he overheard the conspirators meeting.[1]
Database Entry
The first great basilica in Florence, Santa Maria Novella was consecrated in 1420 despite being unfinished. The famous humanist Leone Battista Alberti, designed the upper facade, completing the church in 1470.
However, Santa Maria Novella's origins extends back before the Crusades to an ancient oratory, located on the same site, with a hidden tomb underneath. As of today, the tomb has not been uncovered.
On a related note, one of my favourite quotes is located inside the basilica, written on the image of a tomb: "I was once what you are, and what I am you will become".[1]
References