Brunelleschi

A Florence hotel built into a 6th-century Byzantine tower and medieval church, with historic architecture and a two-Michelin-star restaurant.

For anyone with a penchant for architecture, the Brunelleschi is something close to a pilgrimage. The hotel takes its name from Filippo Brunelleschi, the Renaissance architect of the great dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, and it lives up to the namesake, occupying one of the most remarkable buildings in the city.

At its heart is the Torre della Pagliazza, a circular Byzantine tower dating to the 6th century, set alongside a medieval church. Much of the original infrastructure has, thankfully, been preserved; the tower’s foundations even rest on the remains of a Roman calidarium, which is why it is round. A small museum in the basement displays archaeological finds uncovered during excavation.

History, then, is the headline, but the Brunelleschi runs as a proper hotel, not a relic. Location, style and exceptional service all fall into place, and every detail is carefully considered, from the aromas that greet you to the smart uniforms of the concierge.

The cooking matches the setting. Within the tower sits Santa Elisabetta, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, with the more relaxed Osteria Pagliazza on the ground floor.

For a traveller in Florence who wants to sleep inside the city’s layered history (Roman, Byzantine, Renaissance, all under one roof), the Brunelleschi is a confident recommendation. Book a room in the tower if you can, and give yourself an evening at Santa Elisabetta.