A wave of concern is growing in Florence over the future of the historic Santo Spirito monastery, as a group of Augustinian friars prepares to resist a proposed transformation of part of the complex into a luxury retirement home. The plan involves the redevelopment of the adjacent former military barracks, known as the Caserma Ferrucci, located beside the basilica and monastery in the Oltrarno district.
The Augustinian friars, who have lived and prayed in the monastery for decades, have expressed their opposition to the project, which they fear will compromise the spiritual and historical integrity of the site. The area in question includes the 16th-century Ammannati cloister, a key part of the monastery’s heritage. The friars argue that transforming it into private accommodation risks eroding its cultural and religious value.
While the building is partly owned by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the friars say they were not adequately informed about the project. According to them, they only learned by chance that the government had issued a public tender for the redevelopment. The winning bidder, whose name has not been made public, is reportedly planning to create a high-end facility with features like private balconies overlooking monastic courtyards.
The monks have enlisted the support of “Salviamo Firenze” (Save Florence), a citizens’ committee that campaigns against overtourism and unchecked privatization of historic spaces. On Friday evening, hundreds of people gathered in Piazza Santo Spirito to show solidarity with the friars and protest the planned transformation. The demonstration included the participation of Father Giuseppe Pagano, the monastery’s prior, who has become a central figure in the resistance.
The friars, together with Villanova University in Pennsylvania—an institution affiliated with the Augustinian order—have proposed an alternative plan for the site. Their vision includes the creation of a cultural and community center open to all Florentines, complete with a library, guest accommodations for students, a refectory, and meeting spaces. The goal is to preserve the space as a place of reflection, study, and dialogue—not just for religious purposes, but for the broader community.
At the moment, the development is still at an early stage. According to the friars, the only official step that has been taken is the awarding of the public tender; no contracts have been signed yet. Nonetheless, concern remains high, as the project could move forward quickly if not challenged.
The friars have requested a meeting with the Minister of Defense to present their counterproposal but have yet to receive a response. They have also expressed appreciation for recent support shown by Florence’s mayor, Sara Funaro, who is expected to meet with the friars and Archbishop Gherardo Gambelli in the coming days. The friars hope this collaboration between civil and religious institutions can help find a solution that respects the historical and spiritual identity of the site.
Former Uffizi director Eike Schmidt has also voiced his support, noting that the issue goes beyond local interests and touches the cultural heritage of Italy and Europe. A legal appeal is being prepared by the Augustinians, who have vowed to explore all possible avenues to prevent what they view as an inappropriate use of a sacred and historic space.
The story of Santo Spirito is not just about a building—it is about safeguarding a centuries-old legacy and ensuring that Florence’s future respects its past.