Santa Felicita

Charming square beside a beautiful church

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the sheer number of gorgeous churches and spectacular artwork everywhere you turn in Florence, and I could understand the temptation to just walk by this one on your way to somewhere else, but I highly recommend you pause and step inside for a few moments.
The church itself is beautiful, but the real reason to stop inside is to see a Mannerist masterpiece by the artist Pontormo. It is in a dark, gated nave to your immediate right as you enter the church. Drop a Euro into a coin slot and a light will illuminate the painting for 3 or 4 minutes.
The painting, «Deposition», is spectacular. It was painted in 1528, and it shows Christ being carried away from the cross. The composition is beautiful and it veers into odd territory by some of the color choices.
While you’re there be sure to look for the screened window above the entrance where the Medici family would sit to enjoy mass without having to rub elbows with the ordinary people. This a part of the passageway that extends from The Ufizzi to the Pitti Palace.
This church is well worth a few moments of your time.