Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine (Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel), Florence

The Church of Santa Maria del Carmine stands as a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a title bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary. Originally constructed in the late 13th century, what remains today of the church's exterior is a testament to its Romanesque-Gothic roots. However, the church's history took a dramatic turn in the 18th century when a fire nearly devastated the entire structure, miraculously sparing the renowned Brancacci Chapel and its Renaissance frescoes.

The Brancacci Chapel holds great significance as a monument to the emergence of the Italian Renaissance. The fresco that adorns the wall of the basilica is among the most influential and pivotal works in the history of Italian art. Its creation began in 1425, when Masolino da Panicale was commissioned to work on three walls of the chapel. Masolino enlisted the assistance of his young associate, the 21-year-old Masaccio, who later took charge of the project. Masaccio's profound influence on the frescoes is evident and is considered one of the finest accomplishments of his career. Unfortunately, Masaccio's premature death in 1428 left the frescoes neglected for 60 years until Filippino Lippi arrived and made significant contributions to the chapel.

The basilica also includes the Corsini Chapel, commissioned by the Corsini family, one of the wealthiest families in Florence during the 17th and 18th centuries. Built in 1675, the chapel serves as the resting place for the remains of Andrea Corsini (1301–1374), a member of the Corsini family who became a Carmelite friar and the Bishop of Fiesole, canonized in 1629. Designed in the popular Baroque style of the time by architect Silvani, the chapel features a small dome that was frescoed by Luca Giordano in 1682. The intricate Italian Rococo ceiling, a highlight of the chapel, is the work of Giovanni Domenico Ferretti, one of the most esteemed 18th-century artists in Florence.