Overview:
Website: https://www.santacroceopera.it/en/
Address: Plazza di Santa Croce, 16, 50122 Firenze Fl, Italy
Construction: Began in 1294 Completed in 1385
History:
Located 800 meters south-east of the Duomo, Basilica di Santa Croce is a Franciscan church in Florence. It is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church.
St. Francis
Legend has it that this church was built by St. Francis himself. The original structure was built in 1212 by St. Francis. He and his followers settled in a marshy area outside of the city walls.
The Church itself was built by Arnolfo di Cambio.
Construction
While the original church was built between 1294 and 1385; the church has been going through renovations throughout the years. For example the bell tower was rebuilt in 1842; after an earlier one had been destroyed by lighting.
Santa Croce Importance
Why should you visit the church?
The church is also known as Temple of the Italian Glories. As a number of famous Italians are buried within the church. Amongst famous artists you will find the tombs of: Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo (Poet), Gentile (philosopher), Rossini (Composer).
While there is a memorial to Dante at the church it is empty as he was exiled from Florence at the time of his death (He is buried in Ravenna).
Tickets:
Option 1:
Purchase tickets directly from the church:
Option 2:
Join a tour of Santa Croce that includes a tour of Santa Croce Square and the church’s interior, crypt, and cemetery:
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