Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce is the principal Franciscan church of Florence and a minor basilica, located on the Piazza Santa Croce southeast of the city's cathedral. Said to have been founded by Saint Francis himself, the present Gothic church was begun in 1294, possibly to a design by Arnolfo di Cambio, and consecrated in 1442, with a neo-Gothic marble facade added in the nineteenth century.
Known as the Temple of the Italian Glories, Santa Croce is the burial place of many of Italy's most illustrious figures, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and the composer Rossini, alongside a monument to Dante. Its chapels contain important fresco cycles by Giotto and his school, while the adjoining Pazzi Chapel, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, is a landmark of early Renaissance architecture.
A repository of art spanning the medieval and Renaissance periods, the basilica also houses Cimabue's Crucifix, famously damaged in the 1966 Florence flood and since restored as a symbol of the city's recovery. Santa Croce remains both an active church and one of Florence's most visited monuments.
- Location
- 43.7684, 11.2627
- Local time
- 00:36 (Europe/Rome)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sat | 09:30–17:30 |
| Sun | 12:30–17:30 |
Last entry 17:00; ticket office closes 30 min before.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Saint Francis of Assisi Saint
The Bardi Chapel is dedicated to him, frescoed by Giotto with scenes from his life; largest Franciscan church in the world
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Saint John the Evangelist Saint
Peruzzi Chapel frescoed by Giotto with scenes of his life
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Saint John the Baptist Saint
Depicted with the Evangelist in Giotto's Peruzzi Chapel frescoes
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Saint Bonaventure Saint
Franciscan Doctor who lived in the convent of Santa Croce
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Saint Anthony of Padua Saint
Stayed at the Santa Croce convent in its early history
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Saint Bernardino of Siena Saint
Franciscan preacher who found hospitality at Santa Croce
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Saint Louis of Toulouse Saint
Franciscan bishop (Louis of Anjou) honored in the basilica's Franciscan tradition
Care & donations
Opera di Santa Croce / Order of Friars Minor
Tickets and donations via Opera di Santa Croce (santacroceopera.it)
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