Basilica di Santa Croce Florence
Latest page update: 18 September 2024
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The Basilica di Santa Croce is not only one of the most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Italy, but also the largest Franciscan church in the world.
The current building replaced an oratory that was first built by the Community of Franciscan Friars in 1226, in works that were led by Arnolfo di Cambio who also designed Florence Cathedral. |
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Construction of the Basilica
The construction was completed in 1385 and the church was consecrated in 1443. Its exterior remained unchanged for four centuries, until 1857 when the current neo-Gothic frontage was replaced with a design by architect Niccolò Matas. The construction of the impressive white, green and pink Carrara marble façade was promoted by the Englishman Sir Francis Sloane, who made an initial contribution of 20,000 of the 580,000 scudi that finally were needed to begin the works.
The wonders of this Basilica are not restricted solely to its exterior; Santa Croce shelters some of the city's most impressive frescoes of the fourteenth century. Not to be missed are Giotto's works in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels (that illustrate scenes from the life of St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist) and Gaddi’s works in the main cloister (scenes from the Legend of the True Cross). This cloister also houses the Pazzi Chapel, another treasure of the legacy of Filippo Brunelleschi (who is especially known for the dome of the Florence Cathedral).
The construction was completed in 1385 and the church was consecrated in 1443. Its exterior remained unchanged for four centuries, until 1857 when the current neo-Gothic frontage was replaced with a design by architect Niccolò Matas. The construction of the impressive white, green and pink Carrara marble façade was promoted by the Englishman Sir Francis Sloane, who made an initial contribution of 20,000 of the 580,000 scudi that finally were needed to begin the works.
The wonders of this Basilica are not restricted solely to its exterior; Santa Croce shelters some of the city's most impressive frescoes of the fourteenth century. Not to be missed are Giotto's works in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels (that illustrate scenes from the life of St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist) and Gaddi’s works in the main cloister (scenes from the Legend of the True Cross). This cloister also houses the Pazzi Chapel, another treasure of the legacy of Filippo Brunelleschi (who is especially known for the dome of the Florence Cathedral).
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Temple of the Italian Glories
Santa Croce first housed the graves of the families that lived in the district but in the fifteenth century it became the burial place of some of history's most illustrious Italians, accounting for its moniker "Temple of the Italian Glories" (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie). Among the long list of historical figures interred here are Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Niccolò Machiavelli. It's also the resting place of politicians such as Leonardo Bruni and Carlo Marsuppini, Italian Supreme Chancellors. From the nineteenth century it also became a pantheon of artists, musicians and writers such as the poet Foscolo, the philosopher Giovanni Gentile and the composer Gioachino Rossini.
There are dozens of tombs with remarkable stories including the one belonging to Giovanni Battista Niccolini. Entering the
basilica, on the left the tomb of the famous playwright can be easily found with its sculpture by Pio Fedi, extremely similar to the Statue of Liberty. This resemblance has led many observers think this is not just a coincidence but a plagiarism case.
There are many reasons to think that at the very least Fedi’s statue was an inspiration for the design of New York's iconic statue as its designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was in Italy when work started on the monument in Santa Croce.
Santa Croce first housed the graves of the families that lived in the district but in the fifteenth century it became the burial place of some of history's most illustrious Italians, accounting for its moniker "Temple of the Italian Glories" (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie). Among the long list of historical figures interred here are Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Niccolò Machiavelli. It's also the resting place of politicians such as Leonardo Bruni and Carlo Marsuppini, Italian Supreme Chancellors. From the nineteenth century it also became a pantheon of artists, musicians and writers such as the poet Foscolo, the philosopher Giovanni Gentile and the composer Gioachino Rossini.
There are dozens of tombs with remarkable stories including the one belonging to Giovanni Battista Niccolini. Entering the
basilica, on the left the tomb of the famous playwright can be easily found with its sculpture by Pio Fedi, extremely similar to the Statue of Liberty. This resemblance has led many observers think this is not just a coincidence but a plagiarism case.
There are many reasons to think that at the very least Fedi’s statue was an inspiration for the design of New York's iconic statue as its designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was in Italy when work started on the monument in Santa Croce.
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Opening-times:
Monday to Saturday: 09:30 - 17:30 (last admission at 17:00) Sundays and Public Holidays: (January 6, August 15,November 1, December 8): 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm (last admission is at 5:00 pm) The Cathedral is closed on: January 1, Easter Sunday, June 13 (Saint Anthony), October 4 (Saint Francis), December 25-26. |
Prices:
Adults: €8 Children under 17 years: €4 Audio guide: €1.50 The ticket also gives access to the Monumental Complex (Basilica, Cloisters and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo) |
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City: Florence
Province: Metropolitan City of Florence Region: Tuscany Built: 1296 Architectural style: Gothic Walking distance from Piazza del Duomo: 10 minutes Close by: Pazzi Chapel, River Arno, Palazzo Vecchio, Bargello Recommended accommodation: Hotel Spadai |
