St. Mark’s English Church

The basics

If you are looking for a unique way to enjoy Florence in the evening, consider attending one of the opera performances or classical music concerts in the historic interiors of St. Mark’s English Church. In addition to its regularly scheduled religious services, the church is one of the most celebrated concert venues in the city, hosting numerous opera, choral, and instrumental performances with local and visiting artists.

With only 150 seats, St. Mark’s offers an intimate space for experiencing live music. You can pair your evening performance with dinner at one of the restaurants in the surrounding Oltrarno neighborhood.

Things to know before you go

• As a place of worship, modest attire covering shoulders and knees is recommended.
• Seating is limited inside the church, so it’s a good idea to book tickets to concerts and performances in advance.
• Most performances begin at 8:30pm, so may not be suitable for younger children.
• There is wheelchair access to the ground-floor church.
• An evening performance here is especially memorable for music lovers.

How to get there

St. Mark’s English Church is located in the Oltrarno neighborhood, just across the Santa Trinità bridge from most major sights in the historic center of Florence.

When to get there

The church is best visited during one of the many evening concerts and performances held all year; check the church’s calendar for dates and times.

The Anglican Church in Florence

The Anglican Church here dates back almost two centuries, with the first chaplaincy established in 1840 with the quiet opening of Holy Trinity Church, serving non-Italian members of the Church of England only. After Italy’s unification, people were able to worship freely, and the congregation erected the Holy Trinity building in Via Lamarmora. Today, St. Mark’s is the sole Church of England congregation in Florence, and forms a chaplaincy with congregations in Siena and Bologna.

Ways to explore

If you are looking for a unique way to enjoy Florence in the evening, attend one of the opera performances or classical music concerts in the historic interiors of St. Mark’s English Church. In addition to holding regularly scheduled religious services, the church hosts opera, choral, and instrumental performances with local and visiting artists. It is one of the most celebrated concert venues in the city. With limited seating, St. Mark’s offers an intimate space for experiencing live music. You can pair your evening performance with dinner at one of the restaurants in the surrounding Oltrarno neighborhood.

Accessibility

A low step at the church entrance may be a challenge for some wheelchair users.

Age limits

The concerts at St. Mark’s are generally held in the late evening, which may be too late for younger children.

What to pack

Layers, camera and battery pack

What to wear

Most churches in Italy require clothing that covers shoulders and knees to enter.

Not allowed

Refrain from taking photos and videos during performances.

Amenities

There is a restroom, but no food or drinks are available.

Address

St. Mark’s English Church is located in the Oltrarno neighborhood, just across the Santa Trinità bridge from most major sights in the historic center of Florence.

Driving

Parking is limited in Oltrarno, and much of the area is restricted to authorized vehicles only, so plan to reach the church on foot.

Public transportation

Several city bus lines run between the Santa Maria Novella train station and St. Mark’s, including the C4, 6, and 11.

Best times to visit

Concerts and performances generally start at 8:30pm or 9pm, making this the most popular time to visit the church.

Best days to visit

In spring, summer, and fall, performances are held on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. In the quieter winter months, only one performance is scheduled each week.

Best months to visit

Visit from spring through fall when the concert roster is in full swing with a variety of performances and dates.

Special events

The church is known for its New Year’s Eve concert, paired with a celebratory toast.