Basilica of Santa Croce

In addition to being the largest Franciscan church anywhere in the world, Santa Croce also serves as the unofficial 'pantheon' of Florence.

There are close to 300 tombs included, including those of Michelangelo, Galileo, and other notable historical figures.

Because it is the final resting place of so many notable Italians of the past and present, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Santa Croce is sometimes referred to as the Temple of the Italian Glories.

Nearly three hundred tombs from the fourteenth to the eighteenth centuries are housed within its mausoleum.

THINGS TO DO AT THE BASILICA OF SANTA CROCE:

• Learn about the history:

In 1294, the church was founded in the same place where a tiny chapel had previously been built to honor the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The chapel was constructed in 1223.

• Sculptures and paintings that adorn the walls of the church are of great significance:

The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy, is the largest Franciscan church that can be found anywhere in the world.

It is the second largest temple in Florence, with dimensions of 377 feet (115 meters) and 124 feet (38 meters) in width. The Cathedral is the largest temple in Florence.

The chapels of the Basilica are home to a number of murals created by illustrious artists such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, and Donatello.

• It is a sanctuary of the Glories of Italy:

This is because the cathedral has many tombs and funerary monuments belonging to renowned Florentines.

For instance, you will come across the grave of the influential political figure Niccol Machiavelli, as well as the grave of the physicist Galileo Galilei.

In addition, many painters, sculptors, and architects, such as Michelangelo and Vasari, are laid to rest in Santa Croce.

In addition, there is a funerary monument dedicated to Dante; however, the author himself is buried in Ravenna, the city where he passed away while living in exile.

• Participate in events:

Not only is the Piazza Santa Croce teeming with street performers on a daily basis, but it is also the location of a variety of events that take place throughout the year.