Walking along the narrow street separating the majestic stone wall of Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Museum, you will soon arrive at Piazza Santa Croce and at its stunning Basilica.
The church is one of the major examples of Italian Gothic art, it was built in the 13th century by Arnolfo di Cambio and its façade was finished in the 19th century. It is a Franciscan basilica presenting an Egyptian/ Tau cross floorplan with three naves decorated by chapels and beautiful frescos. Among these, you will be able to look at Agnolo Gaddi's works in Cappella Maggiore, Giotto's frescos in Cappella Peruzzi and Cappella Bardi, Giovanni della Robbia's terracottas or Donatello's "Annunciazione Cavalcanti".
The Basilica di Santa Croce is known also as the "Temple of the Italian Glories" or the “Pantheon of Artists", because it conserves the remains of some of the best-known personalities of Italian history. Its peculiar graves are everywhere: some are located in the wonderful chapels along the naves, while many others fill up its pavement and make it possible to walk above them.
Until the beginning of 1400s, Santa Croce was principally the sepulchral church of district's families like Bardis, Peruzzis or Albertis. Things changed when the town government decided to build some elaborated funerary monuments for its chancellors Leonardo Bruni and Carlo Marsuppini. The two tombs were sculpted by Bernardo Rossellino and Desiderio da Settignano. These authentic masterpieces of Renaissance sculpture launched the new destiny of the Basilica, which became the solemn custody of Florentine public glories.
In 1564, the remains of Michelangelo were moved to Florence to be exposed in Santa Croce Church in a stunning monumental grave designed by Giorgio Vasari. Later, even the sepulchers of Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Rossini and Alfieri were erected inside the Basilica.
It is believed that Alfieri visited Santa Croce Church in order to find inspiration, as its wonderful sepulchers instilled a profound sense of peace. Another famous author, Stendhal, entered the church and felt a sudden illness because of the excessive quantity of memory conserved there, while Foscolo celebrated it in his work "I Sepolcri”.
What are you waiting for? Visit this Church and discover the indescribable emotions it will be able to give you! Along Via de'Neri, you can also stop at the famous “All’Antico Vinaio” sandwich shop or at “Gelateria de’Neri”, one of the best ice-cream parlors in Florence.
If you are looking for a property for your stay, choose our wonderful vacation rentals near Florence, like Le Fonti or Villa Tenuta Lonciano.
