Basilica di Santa Trinità, Florence

This building was originally erected in the middle of the 11th Century and after modifications spanning three centuries, the church finally took the form of the plans drawn up by Neri di Fioravante at the end of the 14th century. The façade however was the work of Bernardo Buontalenti. Inside, the only chapel to preserve its original 15th century decorations is the fourth in the right-hand nave. It was Lorenzo Monaco who, between 1420-1425, painted the series of frescoes telling the story of the Virgin Mary and the altar-piece with the Annunciation. The first chapel on the right, in the apse walls, was owned by the Sassetti family who commissioned Domenico Ghirlandio to paint the series of frescoes telling the stories of St Francis of Assisi which depict aspects of 15th century life with particular realism. Ghirlandaio also worked on the altar-piece with the sweet Shepherd's Worship, dated 1485. Admission: Free.