The Domenican church of Sta. Maria Novella is one of the most important examples of Renaissance architecture in Florence.
The church's facade seen here, was not completed untill the mid 15th century, though the church was completed in the 1300's.

The facade, designed in perfect mathematical proportions by Alberti, uses traditional green and white marble
seen on many Tuscan churches.
It was financed by the wealthy Ruccellai family whose name appears just under the triangular pediment
crowning the top of the facade.
Alberti used scroll like volutes to unite the the lower part of the facade with the upper part,
a solution solving an awkward problem that had plagued architects for centuries.
The taller central portion of the facade corresponds to the height of the central nave inside the church,
and the lower portion corresponds with the side aisles.

The interior, (next image),designed by Brunelleschi, houses some of the greatest works of art in Florence.
Just behind the main altar in the Tournabouni Chapel, are frescoes by Ghirlandaio and his workshop
showing scenes from the Life of John the Baptist and Life of the Virgin on opposite walls.
It is known that Michelangelo was an apprentice with Ghirlandaio, but it is not known what part, if any,
he might have painted in that chapel .

Frescoes by other major Renaissance artists are in chapels on either side of the altar.