Church of San Salvatore in Ognissanti
A Florentine jewel that houses works of extraordinary artistic value
The church of San Salvatore in Ognissanti is located in Florence, in the square of the same name, and was founded in mid-18th century by the Humiliati friars, a religious order that thanks to the strategic location a few steps from the Arno and Mugnone rivers was able to exploit the water for wool processing.
During the 14th century, the church was enriched with valuable works of art, and the Maestà by Giotto, now in the Uffizi Gallery, was placed on the high altar.
It was later embellished with other important works, such as a frescoed Crucifixion by Taddeo Gaddi and the Cross of Ognissanti which, after careful restoration, was found to be autographed by Giotto, dating back to around 1315.
In the 15th century, Sandro Botticelli and Ghirlandaio worked in Ognissanti.
In 1480, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio painted two frescoes in the apse, now detached and placed in the center of the nave: Botticelli depicted St. Augustine in his study - on the right - while Ghirlandaio painted St. Jerome in his study - on the left.
Also in 1480, Ghirlandaio also executed a fresco of the Last Supper, a subject common to many convent refectories in Florence, of which the sinopite is also preserved.
The interior of the church retains its Gothic architectural layout with a single nave and raised transept, although it features Baroque decoration, as does the façade, built in 1637 to a design by architect Matteo Nigetti.
Inside the church is also Botticelli's tomb.
