Widely considered Florence's most harmonious Renaissance square, flanked by symmetrical colonnaded porticoes on three sides: Brunelleschi's Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419, the first Renaissance building), a matching colonnade opposite, and the Basilica della SS Annunziata. Della Robbia's swaddled-baby terracotta roundels and Giambologna's bronze equestrian statue of Grand Duke Ferdinando I define the space.
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata is widely regarded as Florence's most harmonious piazza, with three of its four sides articulated by matching Corinthian colonnade porticoes. The first and most historically significant is the arcade of the Ospedale degli Innocenti, the foundling hospital designed by Brunelleschi and begun in 1419 — the first building consciously designed in the new Renaissance style. The hospital's function is reflected in Andrea della Robbia's glazed terracotta roundels in the arcade spandrels (1480s), each depicting a swaddled infant in blue-and-white terracotta. The matching arcade on the west side was built later to maintain the piazza's symmetry. The north side is closed by the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, one of Florence's most venerated churches. At the centre stands a bronze equestrian statue of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici, Giambologna's last work (1608), completed by Pietro Tacca, with two flanking bronze fountains also by Tacca. The Museo degli Innocenti inside the Ospedale contains Renaissance paintings including a Ghirlandaio altarpiece.
| Admission | Adult Free (square); Ospedale museum EUR 7 · Child Free (square) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Always open (public square); Ospedale degli Innocenti museum: Tue-Sun 10AM-7PM |
| Typical visit | 30-60 minutes |
| Best time | Early morning or evening for photos without crowds |
| Getting there | 5-minute walk from the Accademia Gallery and Museo di San Marco; bus C1 from centre |
| Address | Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy |
Good to know
- Best for
- architecture, photography, Renaissance history
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Location
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
43.7758, 11.2586 View on map
Highlights
- Three matching colonnaded porticoes creating Florence's most harmonious Renaissance piazza
- Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419) — the first Renaissance building by Brunelleschi, now a museum (EUR 7)
- Andrea della Robbia's glazed terracotta swaddled-baby roundels in the Ospedale arcade
- Giambologna's bronze equestrian statue of Grand Duke Ferdinando I at the piazza centre
- 5-minute walk from the Accademia Gallery — easily combined with a David visit
Tips for visiting
- The Ospedale degli Innocenti (1419) is the first purposefully Renaissance building in Florence and contains a museum with a Ghirlandaio altarpiece
- Della Robbia's glazed terracotta swaddled-baby roundels in the arcade spandrels are among Florence's most reproduced images
- The piazza is quieter than Piazza della Signoria — a better location for undistracted architecture photography
When to visit
Early morning for architectural photography with low-angle light and an empty square. The piazza is a calmer alternative to the busier tourist squares.
Accessibility
The piazza is a level public space with good wheelchair accessibility. The Ospedale degli Innocenti museum entrance is at piazza level with elevator access to upper floors.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the piazza free?
Yes — the piazza is a public square, free to visit. The Ospedale degli Innocenti museum charges approximately EUR 7.
What is the Ospedale degli Innocenti?
A foundling hospital built from 1419 by Brunelleschi — the first Renaissance building in Florence. The inner courtyard and museum are open to visitors; the museum contains Ghirlandaio's Adoration of the Magi.
When is the piazza least crowded?
The piazza receives fewer visitors than the main Florentine tourist circuit. Early morning before 9am and early evening are most pleasant.