Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

The Basilica di Santa Maria Novella is a church located in Florence. It was chronologically the first great basilica, as well as the city's principal Dominican church.
The church, the adjoining cloister, and chapter house contained a store of art treasures and funerary monuments; especially famous within the building are frescoes by masters of and early Renaissance artwork. They were financed through the generosity of the most important Florentine families, who ensured themselves funerary chapels on consecrated ground.
==History==
===Origins===
Prior to the construction of the basilica, the site was originally an ancient oratory dating to prior to the Crusades, housing a hidden tomb underneath. In 1420, Santa Maria Novella was consecrated as the first great basilica in Florence despite being unfinished. With works on the upper façade by Leon Battista Alberti, the church was completed in 1470.Assassin's Creed II – Database: Santa Maria Novella
===Pazzi Conspiracy===
During their reign, the Medici family often visited Santa Maria Novella for Mass. In 1478, the basilica played host to a meeting of the Pazzi family and other Templars, who were conspiring to commit the assassination of Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother, Giuliano.Assassin's Creed II
Deep within the basilica lay hidden the tomb of Darius, which was explored by the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze shortly after he overheard the conspirators meeting.
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed II
==References==
Category:Churches
Category:Assassin Tombs
Category:Landmarks in Florence