Church of the Annunciation

Basilica in Florence. It was built at the end of the XIII century by the Order of Servits. The modern appearance of the church acquired in 1444-1477 thanks to the efforts of Michelozzo and Leon Battista Alberti. Today, the interior of the church is decorated with beautiful late Baroque.

The main shrine of the church is the icon of the Annunciation, hidden in a case. It is opened only during worship, and the icon itself is considered miraculous. According to legend, the monk who worked on it could not depict the face of the Virgin and finish the icon. After suffering, he fell asleep, and when he woke up, his face was already on the icon. The rumor of this miracle spread throughout Italy, and icon painters began to come here to make a copy. A copy of the icon is in the Church of All Saints, as well as in the Cathedral of Milan.

There is a beautiful tradition associated with this icon. To the face of the Virgin, brides bring their wedding bouquets. It is believed that this will bring happiness to the spouses in marriage.