If you’ve already visited Florence or if it’s your first time but you’re looking for a truly unique experience away from the usual crowds, this tour is for you.
We will explore Santa Felicita Church, one of the city’s most fascinating yet lesser-known treasures. Originally built on a 5th-century early Christian site, it later became a Benedictine convent and eventually the Medici family’s private chapel.
The church, with its single nave and side altars, is usually open to the public, but during our tour, we’ll have the exclusive chance to visit some of its hidden spaces:
- The Chapter Hall, featuring original 14th-century frescoes.
- The Sacristy, home to stunning paintings and precious fabrics that once adorned the church.
- A hidden passage leading to the most remarkable part of our visit: the Grand Ducal Balcony.
This elevated balcony, located near the main entrance, allowed the Medici family to attend mass without being seen by the public. But what makes it even more fascinating is how they accessed it—not through the church doors, but via the Vasari Corridor, a one-kilometer-long aerial passage still connecting Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, crossing the Arno River above Ponte Vecchio.
From this exclusive viewpoint, the church reveals itself in all its beauty, offering a once-in-a-lifetime perspective on the history of Florence.
A journey through faith and power
Beyond the grandeur of the Medici, we’ll also step into the daily life of the Benedictine nuns who lived here for over 700 years, exploring their relationship with the local community and the families who funded the church’s upkeep and decoration.
When the Medici moved permanently to Palazzo Pitti in the 16th century, Santa Felicita became even more significant. The Vasari Corridor allowed the grand ducal family to move discreetly across the city, linking their residences to the government offices, now home to the Uffizi Gallery. Giorgio Vasari designed a special hidden entrance inside the church, granting the Medici a privileged space to attend mass—an architectural statement of their power over Florence.
A perfect ending: Tuscan aperitivo
After this deep dive into history, we’ll wrap up the tour in a cozy local wine bar, where we’ll enjoy a delicious Tuscan aperitivo, sipping a fine local wine and savoring the authentic flavors of Florence.