Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine

The 13th-century Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine was all but destroyed by fire in the late 18th century. Fortunately the magnificent frescoes by Masaccio in its Cappella Brancacci, entered next to the basilica on the Piazza del Carmine, were spared. A maximum of 30 visitors are allowed in the chapel at a time and visits are by guided tour; places must be prebooked. Unfortunately, visits are often marred by the belligerent attitude taken by the attendants, who strictly enforce the ridiculous 15-minute-visit rule that applies here. How the church authorities think that this is enough time to appreciate the magnificent frescoes on show is an absolute mystery.