Tucked away in the heart of Florence lies one of most famous curiosities of Florence, the unassuming yet historically rich Church of Santa Margherita, better known as “Dante and Beatrice’s Church.” This modest site holds a profound connection to one of the greatest love stories of all time—the tender, unspoken bond between Dante Alighieri and Beatrice Portinari, a muse who inspired Dante’s enduring literary masterpieces.
The Church of Santa Margherita
Dating back centuries, Santa Margherita is one of Florence's oldest and most humble churches. Despite its simplicity, it was patronized by prominent Florentine families such as the Portinari, Cerchi, Ricci, and Giuochi, making it an integral part of the city’s cultural and religious fabric.
However, the church’s true fame lies not in its architecture or wealth but in the role it played in fostering the early seeds of Dante and Beatrice’s love—a connection so powerful that it became immortalized in the pages of literary history.
I love visiting this church every time I'm in Florence because its so tiny, right off the beaten path of Via del Corso. I've been in love with Dante for 20 plus years since I first studied him. He's mysterious, he obsessive and has a great passion for Beatrice. I even went as far to see where he was exiled to which is Ravenna. Ravenna is a gorgeous city and also where he died, there's a mausoleum dedicated to him.
A must see!
