The Brunelleschi‘s project initially envisaged that the façade of the building would face the Arno so as to allow the church to be seen from both banks of the river.
But the current construction differs in part from the original project, since Brunelleschi died in 1446, the architects Giovanni di Gaiole and Salvi d’Andrea, who had been entrusted with the continuation of the work, made some changes both to the exterior and to the interior of the building.

The dome, completed in 1480, has a scaled terracotta covering, each of which was numbered to facilitate installation. The bell tower from a later period (1503-1517) was designed by Baccio D’Agnolo, while the façade with its shaped outline remained with exposed stones until the 18th century and then plastered.

The elegant interior in perfect Renaissance style is divided into three naves supported by 35 columns of pietra serena with Corinthian capitals.
The main altar (1599-1608) is enclosed by a marble enclosure adorned with statues and covered by a canopy surmounted by a finely perforated dome.

Among the most significant works, a 15th century panel depicting the Madonna del Soccorso, the Madonna Enthroned with Saints (1490) by Filippino Lippi and the Corbinelli Chapel by Sansovino. After crossing the vestibule with the rich barrel vault, you enter the octagonal sacristy, the work of Giuliano da Sangallo (1489-1494), one of the greatest works of the Florentine fifteenth century, inspired by the style of Brunelleschi.