ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Florence's Santa Maria Novella Complex to Become Major Cultural Hub

architecture-design · 2026-04-27

Mayor Dario Nardella has revealed plans for the Santa Maria Novella complex in Florence to transform into a vibrant cultural center. The initiative, costing €20 million, will cover more than 25,000 square meters and feature an expansion of the museum, artisan showrooms, social housing, and spaces for creative startups. A new entrance from Piazza della Stazione will include a welcome area of 800 square meters and 1,300 square meters dedicated to exhibitions, possibly accommodating the Alinari Archive. Additionally, a 600-square-meter library will link to the Dominican library, while 1,100 square meters will be allocated for civic collections. The Museo della Lingua Italiana will span 2,500 square meters, backed by a €4.5 million investment, and social housing will offer around fifty apartments within 4,500 square meters. Nardella and assessors presented the project.

Key facts

  • Santa Maria Novella complex in Florence to become a multifunctional cultural hub
  • €20 million investment covering over 25,000 square meters
  • New monumental entrance from Piazza della Stazione with 800 sq m welcome area
  • 1,300 sq m of exhibition space for permanent and temporary collections
  • Possible hosting of Alinari Archive in agreement with Fondazione Alinari and Regione Toscana
  • 600 sq m library connected to Dominican library
  • 1,100 sq m of accessible museum deposits for paintings, furniture, and sculptures
  • Museo della Lingua Italiana with 2,500 sq m and €4.5 million investment
  • Photography library housing historical collections including Baccani, Belle Arti, Stefano Bardini
  • Social housing: 4,500 sq m for about fifty apartments for young couples
  • Chiostro Grande to host Estate Fiorentina and international events
  • Project presented by Mayor Dario Nardella and assessors Albanese, Del Re, Martini, Sacchi

Entities

Artists

  • Alinari
  • Brogi
  • Anderson

Institutions

  • Fondazione Alinari
  • Regione Toscana
  • Museo del Novecento
  • Museo del Treno
  • Comune di Firenze
  • Arma dei Carabinieri

Locations

  • Florence
  • Italy
  • Santa Maria Novella
  • Piazza della Stazione
  • Chiostro Grande
  • ex Monastero Nuovo

Sources