Piazza della Santissima Annunziata is a Renaissance square in Florence, a short walk northeast of the Duomo. Its arcades, pale stone columns and central equestrian statue give it a sense of balance that makes it a rewarding place to pause between the city's busier sights.
The square's architectural landmark is the Ospedale degli Innocenti, a foundling hospital designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and begun in 1419. Its loggia helped establish the vocabulary of Renaissance architecture; glazed terracotta medallions of swaddled infants by Andrea della Robbia were added later. A matching arcade across the square reinforces the piazza's symmetry. At its centre, the bronze statue of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici stands between two fanciful sea-monster fountains by Pietro Tacca.
On the north side, the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata is a major Marian shrine with a richly decorated interior and a revered image of the Annunciation. The Museo degli Innocenti explores the hospital's history and art, while its rooftop café offers views over Florence. The square is also close to the Galleria dell'Accademia and the San Marco museum.
Walk here from the Duomo along Via dei Servi, ideally in the morning or near sunset when the stone catches the light. If you want to enter the basilica, check its opening hours in advance and dress modestly. Allow time to look closely at the fountains and the Innocenti loggia rather than simply passing through.