T his was the original home of the Church of Santa Maria delle Vigne. In 1278 that building served as the nucleus for what we see here today. The Italian Gothic style is enhanced through extensive use of black and white marble inside and out. While this church may appear the same as so many others in Florence, it is the home of the famous Chiostro Verde (Green Cloister) which gets its name from the primary color used in its frescoes. But it's the façade that really stands out. Its design became the standard for use in Italian churches for hundreds of years. Niches and setbacks are forsaken for a flat front that dominates the square below. The appearance of height is reinforced by the design which is set in a very strict grid pattern.
~900: The original building is built on this site.
1278: Construction begins on the current building.
1360: The current building is finished.
1439: Work begins on the facade, designed by Leon Battista Alberti.
