piazza San Giovanni 7

Firenze

The ancient seat of the Opera di San Giovanni is located in the heart of Florence, a few steps away from the Baptistery.

In 1777, when the Opera di San Giovanni was entrusted to the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore at the behest of Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine, the cathedral administration took over the building. Repair work was carried out repeatedly during the following century, until high maintenance costs forced the Opera to sell portions of it, while others were rented to shops. Careful restoration has re-established its primary vocation as a public facility.

Recent archaeological excavations have unearthed coins, amphorae and everyday objects dating back to Roman Imperial times through to the Renaissance, thereby confirming that the site is as old as the city itself, with a history spanning 2000 years. The 15th-century portal deserves special mention. It is surmounted by a lunette housing a terracotta statue of young St John the Baptist by Michelozzo, on both sides of which are the eagles of the Arte di Calimala, the guild of merchants entrusted with the patronage of the Baptistery.

This historic building is now a multipurpose centre, aptly named “Centro Arte e Cultura”, providing information and services to visitors of the cathedral complex and of the city centre in general.

Courtyard	Brunelleschi Hall

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