Santa Monica

Santa Monica tickets: which one to buy

The Church of Santa Monaca stands on Via Santa Monaca in the Oltrarno district of Florence, Italy, the neighbourhood across the Arno river known for its artisans' workshops, a few minutes' walk from the Basilica of Santo Spirito and the Brancacci Chapel. It is a small church, often overlooked by visitors, and access is limited, as it opens mainly for services and events, so check the times before visiting.

Walking tours of the Oltrarno combine the area's churches with the craft workshops of goldsmiths, bookbinders and furniture restorers, the Piazza Santo Spirito with its cafés, the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens. The Oltrarno is quieter and more local than the centre of Florence, and it is known for its restaurants and wine bars. The Brancacci Chapel, with Masaccio's frescoes, is nearby and requires booking. The Brancacci Chapel requires timed tickets booked in advance, and it is about five minutes' walk from Santa Monaca.

Visiting Santa Monica: what to see

The church takes its name from Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, and it was part of a convent of Augustinian nuns, founded in the fifteenth century in the Oltrarno, close to the great Augustinian basilica of Santo Spirito. Like many convents in Florence, it was suppressed in the nineteenth century, when religious orders lost their property, and parts of the convent were turned to other uses. The church is simple in appearance, with a plain facade typical of the neighbourhood's smaller churches, and its interior reflects the later remodelling of the building. Its interest lies as much in its setting as in its contents: it belongs to a cluster of religious buildings around Santo Spirito and the Carmine, which shaped the character of the Oltrarno.

The streets around the church preserve the atmosphere of old Florence, with workshops and small shops. The church's altars hold paintings by Florentine artists of the seventeenth century. The convent's former cloister is now part of other buildings in the street. The church's small bell tower can be seen from the street. The neighbourhood's workshops include makers of paper, leather goods and gilded frames. The Basilica of Santo Spirito, a few minutes away, was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and holds a wooden crucifix attributed to Michelangelo. The Carmine church, with the Brancacci Chapel, is also nearby. The streets around Santa Monaca have small trattorias. The church is a reminder of the many convents that once filled the Oltrarno.

Santa Monica opening hours and the best time to go

The church opens mainly for services and occasional events. Florence is very busy from spring to autumn, and the Oltrarno offers a calmer alternative to the crowded centre. Summer is hot, and spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. The Santo Spirito market, held on certain Sundays in the square, sells antiques and crafts. The feast of Saint Monica is celebrated in August. Allow about fifteen minutes for the church when open, and continue to Santo Spirito and the Brancacci Chapel. The Boboli Gardens, behind the Pitti Palace, offer shaded paths, fountains and views over Florence.