Basilica of Santa Croce
Basilica di Santa Croce
The largest Franciscan church in the world, where Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are buried, known as the 'Temple of Italian Glories'.
Begun in 1294, this Gothic church houses frescoes by Giotto and his pupils in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels, along with the tombs and monuments of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini, and a monument to Dante. The attached Pazzi Chapel is a Renaissance architectural masterpiece by Brunelleschi. Admission is about €10. The square is the traditional venue for Florence's historic football (calcio storico), and the surrounding area is home to many leather schools and workshops. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Duomo.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat 09:30–17:30; Sun 12:30–17:45
Nearby sights
- Bargello National Museum
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Museo Galileo
- Piazza della Signoria
- Uffizi Gallery
- Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
- Giotto's Campanile