Badìa Fiorentina
Tucked into the heart of Florence just steps from the Bargello, the Badìa Fiorentina is one of the city's oldest churches and one of its most rewarding to photograph. The slender Romanesque-Gothic bell tower is the real draw visually, rising above the surrounding rooftops in a way that rewards a wide-angle lens and some patient framing from the narrow streets nearby. Look for angles along Via Dante Alighieri or the surrounding lanes where you can compress the tower against the warm stone facades. Inside, the church opens into a quietly dramatic interior with painted ceilings, carved chapels, and soft filtered light that suits a 24-70mm or a fast prime. Midday light can be harsh on the exterior, so aim for early morning or the golden hour before sunset when the stone glows. The church has limited visiting hours, so check before you go to avoid a wasted trip. (Florence, Tuscany, Italy)
