Badia Fiorentina
Badia Fiorentina
4.5
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The oldest monastery in Florence: a Benedictine abbey. Dante used to meet Beatrice here.
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Neighborhood: Duomo
Florentia, as it was called by Latins, is permeated by an eternal beauty spread in all corners of the city. The historic center is characterized by the immensity of the Duomo, able to transport tourists into the brightest age of Florence: the Renaissance. Who does not know the Brunelleschi Dome, San Giovanni Baptistery and the Giotto’s Campanile? Everything is enclosed here and it would be easy to imagine the city as it was in ancient times, with maids walking in the main square and horses carrying coaches. Nowadays, roads are busy with street artists. Rustic Tuscan bakeries give way to fashion shops; just stop for a few minutes in the middle of Piazza della Repubblica to enjoy the colors and sweet melody of the carousel that will bring back great memories from anyone’s childhood.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
113 reviews
Excellent
56
Very good
44
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Travelaround59
London, UK1,813 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Such a lovely lovely church (the oldest in Florence as the building started in 960…not 1960…960!!!!
In a hot and crowded day of October the stop to visit the church was kind of a miracle of pace.
Inside there a wonderful painting of Filippino Lippi and the church itself is a little gem, completely different from the majestic churches of Florence. The beginning of Mass (it was 12) with singing monks, priests and nuns was mesmerising.
Beautiful beyond words.
In a hot and crowded day of October the stop to visit the church was kind of a miracle of pace.
Inside there a wonderful painting of Filippino Lippi and the church itself is a little gem, completely different from the majestic churches of Florence. The beginning of Mass (it was 12) with singing monks, priests and nuns was mesmerising.
Beautiful beyond words.
Written October 3, 2023
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.
mariagloria
Houston, TX173 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The Badia is a tranquil church managed by the Monastic Communities of Jerusalem, a contemporary monastic order that has an urban ministry. The building itself is simple and beautiful, and has an orange grove cloister and gift shop with items made by various monasteries in Italy. It sells food items, liquors, beauty products and more. The soaps and cremes are wonderful and well priced.
We attended Evening Prayer and found it a very moving spiritual experience. The monks and nuns chant the Vespers in polyphony, using modern Byzantine and Taize like melodies. The Order borrows from both Eastern and Western Christian traditions. The church was illuminated by candles for the service and a fragrant incense was used. The chants and prayers were in Italian and Latin. It was one of the highlights of our 2 weeks in Italy.
We attended Evening Prayer and found it a very moving spiritual experience. The monks and nuns chant the Vespers in polyphony, using modern Byzantine and Taize like melodies. The Order borrows from both Eastern and Western Christian traditions. The church was illuminated by candles for the service and a fragrant incense was used. The chants and prayers were in Italian and Latin. It was one of the highlights of our 2 weeks in Italy.
Written May 26, 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.
Alxnd3r
Stockholm, Sweden152 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
"La Badia Fiorentina " is an extraordinary place. It's a Catholic Church in the center of Florence, quite anonymous from outside, probably not as you would expect but, when you go inside this little church you'll get a peaceful feeling, everything is quite, you see there some people in contemplation, praying, other just looking the surroundings, the extraordinary light that come from one of the few windows just under the ceiling, you see a beam of light illuminating and brightening different parts of the floor or furniture depending on the time of the day you are there. You'll seat there a while and be touch by the atmosphere of this extraordinary place whether you are religious or not.
Please, do not forget that this place is a church, that you have to cover your self if you have for example summer clothes, the gentlemen have to take their hat off and most of all, be quite inside
Please, do not forget that this place is a church, that you have to cover your self if you have for example summer clothes, the gentlemen have to take their hat off and most of all, be quite inside
Written July 29, 2015
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.
OklahomaMomOf3
Cape Coral, FL2,093 contributions
Oct 2019
We stopped in the morning after going through the Bargello, and nothing was going on inside the church then. The church was dark and you could only view a little of it, though you could see the altar and the Filippo Lippi piece. Best if you can time it to come during vespers? We were not charged anything to go in, but there were some people outside at the doors asking for donations (not associated with the church; beggars??) .
The gift shop, which was attended by a very kind and knowledgeable nun, included some unique items like nativities (we were here Oct. 31, so they might be a seasonal item?), jams, lotions and soaps.
The gift shop, which was attended by a very kind and knowledgeable nun, included some unique items like nativities (we were here Oct. 31, so they might be a seasonal item?), jams, lotions and soaps.
Written January 27, 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.
Jenny F
Montreal, Canada123 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
The Badia was on my to do list while in Florence and I was unexpectedly impressed. From the street level, it can be overlooked when compared to other churches in the city. The interior, however, will leave you in awe. It has an air of tranquility, and seems to bring on serenity once you sit and just gather your thoughts. Whether you are religious minded or not, the atmosphere will seep into your heart. A lovely place to visit if for no other reason than its historical importance and the feeling it leaves in your heart while there.
Written November 7, 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.
sandra h
Paris, Canada11 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
While strolling the side streets near the Uffizzi in Florence we stumbled upon a pair of large wooden doors leading to the Badia Fiorentina Church. This old Monastic Community of Jerusalem monks and sisters sing prayers and vespers several times a day. Although I am not Catholic, nor do I understand Latin, I attended Vespers in their small plain Church. The singing was all acappela and they truly had voices like angels. It was a very moving and unexpected highlight of my trip to Florence.
Written September 21, 2014
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.
luvroma2
Reading, PA2,028 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Whenever we are in Florence, we stop by this church since it is across from the Bargello Museum, where we always visit. This time we happen to walk in during a church service. There were two monks at the lectern and a group of about 10 nuns and monks facing the altar, with their backs toward the congregation, as they sang the entire service, a capella. It was the most beautiful, ethereal thing I have ever heard.
This church is ancient and has beautiful art works, but they are roped off and you cannot get near them, unfortunately.
This church is ancient and has beautiful art works, but they are roped off and you cannot get near them, unfortunately.
Written May 24, 2014
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.
Todd B
Glen Ellen, CA32 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
Because there are plenty of reviews of the more famous sights in Firenze (and we found them all generally well worth the attention), this review is in appreciation of a unexpected gem right near the Bargello and Casa di Dante museum. It's an urban monastery that (if you value such things) can provide a calming antidote to "stimulus overload" in such a rich environment as Firenze. We happened upon this place as nuns and monks were gathering to provide a very beautiful sung liturgy -- something that seemed a not-quite-identifiable cross between taize and orthodox chant. If this appeals to you, the adjoining store also has music, soaps, and other crafts that help to fund Badia Florentina.
Written May 13, 2013
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.
Gregory W
Mankato, MN3,373 contributions
Mar 2020
Tucked away from the chaos, discover this lovely church. It is peaceful. The church is lovely inside and the perfect opportunity to refresh.
Written March 15, 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.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA25,097 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
This beautiful 10th century Benedictine Abbey was founded by the widow of Margrave of Tuscany. The church bell in the top of the tower inspired Dante to mention it in his Paradiso. Besides all the usual frescoes and historical marble statues scattered around the Church of saint Benedict and the Madonna, there is a neat cloister worth visiting called Chiostro degli Aranci, its where the monks use to grow oranges, to get to it head towards the choir stalls and there is a door on the left leading out to the cloister.
Tip: Check out the 13th century tower at the Palazzo del Barello next door
Tip: Check out the 13th century tower at the Palazzo del Barello next door
Written April 17, 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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Frequently Asked Questions about Badia Fiorentina
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Badia Fiorentina Information
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