Reader finds reopened Baroque treasure, but with no information

A Florence Daily News reader has alerted the paper to the quiet reopening of the Ex Chiesa di San Carlo dei Barnabiti, a small Baroque church in the Oltrarno district that had been closed for decades.

John Neill, from Sydney, Australia, who recently visited the site and shared his impressions on Tripadvisor, described it as “a fantastically decorated gem” hidden behind locked doors for years. He praised the restoration of the painted trompe-l’œil decorations that now cover the walls and ceiling of the 17th-century interior, calling the result “meticulously restored” and “free to visit.”

Alongside his enthusiasm, Neill expressed puzzlement at the lack of communication about the reopening. “It’s odd that it’s just sort of ‘appeared open’, like it was some mistake,” he wrote in an email to FDN. Although bilingual storyboards in the foyer explain the history of the building, there is no information about the restoration or the artists behind the decorations.

However, the church’s reopening was in fact officially inaugurated on November 27, 2025, in the presence of Mayor Sara Funaro, Economic Development Councillor Jacopo Vicini, and District 1 president Mirco Rufilli. After more than ten years of closure, the space has been fully restored and will now host local associations and artisan initiatives selected through a public call for ideas open until January 19.

Mayor Funaro described San Carlo dei Barnabiti as “a place of important history, finally recovered, restored and returned to the city,” adding that it will serve both as a showcase for local craftsmanship and a venue for community organisations. Councillor Vicini said the city had “recovered a beautiful space that leaves one speechless,” one that would remain “true to the artisan spirit of the district.”

Restoration work covered lighting systems, flooring, entrance glass doors, and digital installations. The former sacristy has been adapted as a welcome area, while the main hall will host meetings, thematic exhibitions, and events promoting Florence’s artisan heritage. The project cost €1.5 million, part of a broader €3.5 million investment in the building over recent years.

Yet, as Neill’s visit shows, these details have not yet reached the public. Visitors still find little or no information at the site, and some remain unaware that the reopening has already been officially announced. The visitor also noted that staff speak only Italian and that practical details—such as opening hours—remain uncertain.

The church, built in 1636 by the Barnabite order, stands on via Sant’Agostino near piazza Santo Spirito and can be visited free of charge. Bus lines C3 and C4 stop directly outside, and a café has recently opened opposite the entrance.

(Photos courtesy of John Neill)

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