Basilica di Santo Spirito

The Basilica di Santo Spirito is a major monastery in the Oltrarno District of Florence and the city's principal Dominican church.

History

The Italian architect Filippo Brunelleschi began designing the Santo Spirito in the year 1428. After his death, followers of his like Antonio Manetti, Giovanni da Gaiole, and Salvi d'Andrea carried on his work. The sacristy was designed by Simone del Pollaiolo and the bell tower, built in 1503, was designed by Baccio d'Agnolo. ^{[citation needed]}

Behind the scenes

Santo Spirito features in Assassin's Creed II, but it is only accessible after the Oltrarno District has been unlocked with the Bonfire of the Vanities downloadable content. In spite of this, it is missing its database entry, making it the only landmark in the game's map of Florence that does not have one. It only receives a mention in the "Oltrarno Disrict" entry. It can, however, be found in the game files:

Built on top of the ruins of an Augustinian Convent that burned down in 1471, Santo Spirito was designed by Brunelleschi, the same bloke who did the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore and San Lorenzo. As with San Lorenzo, he died before Santo Spirito was finished.

The church was completed as per his specifications except for the facade, which was left blank, presumably when the Pope decided to reallocate funds for a country house.

Michelangelo lived in Santo Spirito when he was 17, after Lorenzo de' Medici died. While there, he studied the corpses from the convent's hospital and sculpted a naked crucifix that shows off his fascination with the male form, as does, you know, David, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, most of his sculptures and almost anything he ever touched.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed II