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Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

16 Piazza di Santa Croce, Firenze, Toscana

Description

The Basilica di Santa Croce (meaning Holy Cross) is a large Franciscan church (115m long) built during the 14th century. It is the burial place of famous Italian artists and scientists such as Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli or Rossini. Besides the tombs and cenotaphs, the main features include a Tau cross floor plan (a symbol of St Francis), the 19th century façade, the high altar, and 16 chapels decorated with frescoes by Giotto. Possibly the best known of those is the Bardi chapel featuring the Stories of St. Francis and the Peruzzi Chapel depicting the Stories of St. John the Baptist and those of St. John the Evangelist. The Sacristy also contains several frescoes by preeminent artists of the Giotto school.

Access & Transport

The church is located 400m east of the Piazza della Signoria, in the eponymous Santa Croce neighbourhood. Buses C1, C3 and 23 stop nearby.

Instructions & Recommendations

At the time of this review update, due to some restoration work in the Bardi Chapel (expected to last until 2025), the Giotto frescoes with the Stories of Saint Francis were not visible. Visitors should dress conservatively.

Meta review

Excellent online reviews for this church that also features in most travel guides. It is not busy and the artistic value inside is arguably higher than that of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral) according to many visitors. Favourites differ fom one person to the next but the high altar, the cenotaphs and the frescoes are all regularly mentioned. One recurring comment is that admission fee is a little expensive for a church in Italy but the content is worth the price.

Environmental & Social

The ongoing environmental footprint is low. Helps maintain the city's cultural, artistic and architectural heritages

Conclusion

One of the oldest and most important churches in Florence, the artistic center of the Renaissance, and it shows in the wealth of religious art and the names of illustrious Italians entombed there. Recommended to anyone with cultural inclinations.

Key positive

Plenty of artwork throughout the altars and the various chapels

Graves of Galileo and Michelangelo (inter alia) and various cenotaphs

Key negative

None

Suitability

No religious denomination restrictions but visitors should dress conservatively since it is a church. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closed on several religious holidays. Last Admission at 17h00.

av. transport time:0h 25m

est. visit time:1h

Regulated hours

Monday09:30 - 17:30

Tuesday09:30 - 17:30

Wednesday09:30 - 17:30

Thursday09:30 - 17:30

Friday09:30 - 17:30

Saturday09:30 - 17:30

Sunday12:30 - 17:45

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Group price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€8
6
Adult
18 - 64
€8
6
Teen & Young
12 - 17
€6
6
Child
3 - 11
€0
0
Infant
0 - 2
€0
0
+€1 for online bookings
Family price
Free admission for children under 18 if accompanied by parents paying for admission

Max total number:4

Max number of adults:2

Min.child age:3

Max.child age:17

Price for family€16

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