Basilica di Santa Croce

Basilica in Florence

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Rhododendrites

Santa Croce, often referred to as the ‘Pantheon of Italian glories,’ is a significant basilica in Florence that serves as the final resting place for numerous famous individuals, including Ghiberti, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Galileo, Alfieri, Foscolo, and Rossini. Construction of the Basilica of Santa Croce began in 1294 based on a design by Arnolfo di Cambio, making it the largest Franciscan church globally. Funded by the people of the Florentine Republic, the basilica was built on the foundations of a pre-existing structure and underwent multiple redesigns and reconstructions over the centuries, gaining new symbolic meanings.

Throughout history, Santa Croce played various roles, serving as a Franciscan church with religious and civil functions. It also hosted prominent families and guilds in Medici Florence, acted as a workshop, art studio, theological center, and remained a symbol of prestige for artists, theologians, scholars, and politicians. Celebrated religious figures sought refuge in the church, and it provided accommodation for popes such as Eugene IV, Sixtus IV, Leo X, and Clement XIV.

The basilica’s impressive Gothic architecture, adorned with beautiful frescoes, altarpieces, stained glass windows, and sculptures, showcases the rich history of Florence from the thirteenth century onwards. Inside, visitors can find masterpieces by renowned artists such as Cimabue, Giotto, Maso di Banco, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Domenico Veneziano, Della Robbia, Bronzino, Vasari, Canova, and others. The works by Giotto and his school offer a comprehensive view of the fourteenth-century art scene. Santa Croce remains a significant cultural and historical landmark in Florence, attracting visitors from around the world to admire its artistic treasures and pay homage to the great figures buried within its walls.

The Basilica di Santa Croce appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Florence!

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Visiting Basilica di Santa Croce

Hours:

From Monday to Saturday: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm. No further admission after 5.00 pm

Sunday and Religious Holidays: 12.30 pm – 5.45 pm. No further admission after 5.00 pm

Price:

Adults: €8.00

Address: Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze, Piazza di Santa Croce, Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Duration: 20 minutes

Official Website