Church and Museum of Orsanmichele (solo trip)

The Orsanmichele Church and Museum in Florence, Italy, is a unique Gothic building that has been transformed throughout history from a grain market into a church, and now houses a museum displaying exquisite sculptures by Renaissance giants such as Donatello and Ghiberti, as well as the stunning Orcania Altarpiece, and offers panoramic views of the city from its upper floors.

Orsanmichele stands on Via Calzaiuoli, halfway between the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, at the point where Florence’s civic and religious axes cross. Its name contracts “Orto di San Michele”, a former monastic garden and oratory that later became the city’s grain loggia. The present Gothic block kept that stacked logic: a tall shell with trading floor below and communal granaries above, feeding the ...

Lovely church, there was no queues, and only 8 euros to get inside. Lots of statues and information to read inside. If u manage to climb the 3 floors to the top u get amazing views of the city and cathedral dome.

This is a unique space that blends three identities: a medieval grain market, a sanctuary for Florence’s craft guilds, and a Renaissance sculpture museum. Originally established in the mid-8th century as a small church called San Michele in Orto (St. Michael in the Garden), it was named after the monastic gardens that once surrounded the site. In 1290, it was rebuilt as an open loggia to serve as ...

Very beautiful church, but you need to have your hiking shoes on. The museum that is included with the €8 fee is up a substantial amount of stairs. There is an elevator if necessary though.