Firenze Santa Maria Novella

I was planing to do those pictures for months even before I got my new camera last year. 

This building attires me since I first came to Florence. I admire it especially during the night when the light underlines the architecture, its geometry and plasticity. Thanks to a strong contrast between the shades and the lights it is possible to see clearly the line of the building. All neons are shining brightly and the station is almost empty. This is when the architecture plays the main role. 

Often from people who come to Florence I hear many complains about Firenze Santa Maria Novella. They find the station not inviting at all, anonymous and silent. They remain indifferent to it.

Me instead I adore this building, every detail, all the surroundings: the station itself, the platforms, the waiting room, the Palazzina Reale from the side of Piazza Adua. I agree that the station is not in very good conditions (as most of the train stations in Europe). Moreover, it is in continuous restoration like many, many, many buildings in Florence, but still, I simply love it. 

I remember surprised faces of the people that were looking at me with suspect when I was taking pictures. Many asked me: "What is beautiful here?". 

Nothing. Or maybe everything?

A bit of history?

The station was built between 1933 and 1935 by Gruppo Toscano with Giovanni Michelucci as the leader. The aim was to unify the new station with the historical outlook of Piazza dell'Unità and the Santa Maria Novella Church in front of it. It explains the use of pietra forte on the outside of the station from that side. It is one of the greatest examples of rationalism in Italian architecture. 

For you from me Santa Maria Novella train station:

Santa Maria Novella station, June 2012.