---
title: Florence Walking Tour | Il Gruppo '76 Florence Reunion
description: Join classmates for a guided walk through Florence, exploring historic landmarks, hidden treasures, and the shared memories that make our reunion special.
image: https://ilgruppo76.org/hubfs/Walking-Tour-Hero-vert.jpg
---
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Thursday November 12, 2026 10:00 AM – Approximately 1:00 PM
## Florence Walking Tour: Lesser-Known Gems of Firenze
Rediscover the art, architecture, and memories of Florence with your Il Gruppo ’76 classmates.
Fifty years after our student days in Florence, join classmate **Giuditta (Judith) Hutchison**, with assistance from **Moira McQuaid and Annamarie Faro**, for a special walking tour exploring some of the city's great Renaissance treasures.
This three-hour walk through Florence's historic center includes visits to two magnificent basilicas and concludes at the Ospedale degli Innocenti.
The tour will also honor the memory of our dear classmate Dorothy, whose love of Renaissance art and Florence continues to inspire us. One highlight will be the frescoes of the Tornabuoni Chapel in Santa Maria Novella, which inspired Dorothy's costume designs.
Giuditta will provide specially prepared maps and guides to the artworks inside the churches, allowing participants to explore and appreciate the masterpieces at their own pace.
**Advance payment required:** Pay €8.50 per person for Santa Maria Novella through Ticket Tailor by **November 1, 2026**, so the organizers can purchase admission in advance. San Lorenzo admission (€9) is paid separately at the entrance.
[Pay €8.50 for SMN](https://buytickets.at/ilgruppo76classreunioninfirenze/2323068)
Event details
## Our Itinerary
### 10:00 AM — Piazza Santa Maria Novella
We'll gather at the obelisk closest to the façade of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.
Giuditta will introduce the tour with a discussion of the magnificent Renaissance façade designed by Leon Battista Alberti.
### 10:15–11:15 AM — Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
Our first interior visit takes us into one of Florence's most important churches.
Highlights include Masaccio's famous *Holy Trinity* and the magnificent fresco cycle by Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Tornabuoni Chapel.
The Tornabuoni frescoes have special significance for our reunion. Dorothy drew inspiration from the Renaissance clothing depicted in these paintings for her costume designs.
Participants will receive illustrated guides to help them explore the church's artistic treasures.
**Admission: €8.50 per person, payable in advance through Ticket Tailor by November 1, 2026**, including the published €7.50 entrance fee and €1 advance-booking charge.
Please pay through the button on this page by **November 1, 2026**, so the organizers can purchase Santa Maria Novella admission in advance.
### Approximately 11:20 AM — Walk to San Lorenzo
A short walk of approximately 6 minutes brings us into the historic Medici neighborhood and the Basilica di San Lorenzo.
### 11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Basilica di San Lorenzo
We'll explore the Medici family's historic church, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture associated with Filippo Brunelleschi.
The basilica and its surrounding complex contain remarkable works by artists including Donatello and other Renaissance masters.
Giuditta will provide an additional map and artwork guide for this visit, allowing participants to explore the interior independently.
**Admission: €9 per person**, paid individually at the entrance.
### Approximately 12:40 PM — Walk to Ospedale degli Innocenti
An approximately 11-minute walk takes us to Piazza Santissima Annunziata and one of Brunelleschi's most important architectural achievements.
### Approximately 1:00 PM — Ospedale degli Innocenti
Our tour concludes with an exterior visit to the historic Ospedale degli Innocenti, founded in the 15th century to care for abandoned children.
We'll admire Brunelleschi's elegant Renaissance architecture, the famous glazed terracotta medallions by Andrea della Robbia, and learn about the institution's remarkable history and continuing mission.
The organized walking tour ends here.
Those interested in exploring the **Museo degli Innocenti** may visit independently afterward, subject to opening hours and admission availability.
**Optional museum admission: €9 per person.**
---
## Optional Lunch — Caffè del Verone
After the tour, those who wish can continue upstairs to Caffè del Verone, the rooftop café at the Ospedale degli Innocenti.
Enjoy a light lunch, coffee, or refreshments while taking in views across Florence's rooftops and cathedral dome.
Lunch is entirely optional, and everyone pays for their own food and beverages. Seating is subject to availability.
---
## Tour Details at a Glance
Photo: [Zairon / Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Zairon)
- **Date:** Thursday, November 12, 2026
- **Time:** 10:00 AM – Approximately 1:00 PM
- **Meeting point:** Obelisk closest to the basilica façade, Piazza Santa Maria Novella
- **Ending point:** Ospedale degli Innocenti, Piazza Santissima Annunziata
- **Duration:** Approximately 3 hours
- **Walking:** Short walks between sites, with time spent standing and exploring historic buildings
- **Admission:** €17.50 per person for the two planned basilica visits: €8.50 for Santa Maria Novella paid in advance through Ticket Tailor by November 1, 2026, plus €9 for San Lorenzo paid at the entrance
- **Optional extras:** Museo degli Innocenti (€9) and lunch at Caffè del Verone
- **Tour guide fee:** None. The tour is led by fellow Il Gruppo ’76 classmate Giuditta Hutchison, with assistance from Moira McQuaid and Annamarie Faro.
**Please note:** Santa Maria Novella admission (€8.50 per person) must be paid in advance through Ticket Tailor by November 1, 2026. San Lorenzo admission (€9 per person) is paid individually at the entrance. The optional Innocenti museum visit and lunch are paid separately. Access to individual sites may be affected by religious services, opening hours, reservation requirements, or other local conditions.
We look forward to sharing another memorable morning in Florence, revisiting the Renaissance masterpieces that captured our imaginations fifty years ago.
[Pay €8.50 for SMN](https://buytickets.at/ilgruppo76classreunioninfirenze/2323068)
---
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