Religious site

Santa Croce, Florence

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The Basilica of Santa Croce is one of Florence's most important churches, known as the 'Temple of the Italian Glories' for its tombs of famous figures. The Gothic structure, with its simple facade, houses frescoes by Giotto and his school in the chapels. The interior is vast, with a wooden ceiling and a nave lined with monumental tombs, including those of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. The Pazzi Chapel, designed by Brunelleschi, is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. The attached museum displays Cimabue's crucifix and other artworks. Santa Croce offers a serene atmosphere for reflection on Italy's cultural heritage.

Don't miss

  • Tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli
  • Giotto's frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels
  • Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel
  • Cimabue's crucifix (damaged in 1966 flood) in the museum
  • The cloisters and the leather school

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Ways to visit Santa Croce, Florence

You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.

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