Think you’ve seen everything churches have to offer? Tired of just viewing beautiful artwork, divine statues, and numerous blatant hints of Catholicism that are sprinkled around the churches?

Experience churches in a whole new way, the Italian way.

Churches are living museums, until mass time, then they are places of worship. At both times, a church is considered sacred so dress appropriately with both your knees and shoulders covered. They don’t play around here, if either are showing you don’t get granted access inside.

To see another side of churches attend a Catholic Mass, all spoken in Italian.

Here is a list of churches and their Sunday service times. The one’s bolded are the most popular churches in Florence.

San Lorenzo: 8, 9:30, 11, 18

San Lucia sul Prato: 9, 11, 12, 18

San Marco: 9:30, 11, 12:30, 18:30

San Maria del Fiore: 7:30, 9, 12, 18

San Maria Maggiore: 7:30, 9, 10:30, 12, 18

San Maria Novella: 8:30, 10:30, 12, 18

Santi Michele e Gaetano: 11:30, 18:30

Santissima Trinita : 7 :30, 9, 10 :30, 12, 18 :30

Santa Maria del Carmine : 8, 10, 12

Santa Croce : 8, 9 :30, 11, 12, 18

San Giovannino Padri Scolopi : 6 :30, 8 :30, 10 :30, 12, 19 :30

Santo Spirito: 9, 10:30, 12, 17:30, 18

San Miniato al Monte: 8:30, 10, 11:30, 17:30

 

For an even more unique church experience traipse to the church overlooking all of Florence, the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte. Along with a breathtaking view of Florence and beautiful artwork, the church holds a unique mass, one done in Gregorian chant.

This slow melodic sing-song Roman chant dates back to the early Middle Ages. The simple, unaccompanied male voices sing out Latin words in a single line of melody. This hypnotizing 30 minute mass lacks music causing the listener to focus on the words, even if they can’t understand them.

Gregorian chant masses:

Sundays & holidays: 10, 17:30

Weekdays: 7:15, 17:30