Basilica of Santa Croce

The Basilica di Santa Croce, as well as the largest Franciscan church in the world, is the true pantheon of Florence. Inside there are nearly 300 tombs, including those of Michelangelo and Galileo.

The church is 377 ft (115 m) long and 124 ft (38 m) wide, making it the second largest temple in Florence, after the Cathedral.

The church was founded in 1294 on the same site where a small chapel had previously been built to commemorate the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. When the construction of the Basilica was completed, the main Dominican church, Santa Maria Novella, had to give way.

Although the interior of the church is not as remarkable as Santa Maria Novella, where wooden beams are on display, the sculptures and paintings that decorate the walls of the church are appreciated. The Japanese Basilica chapels feature various frescoes by notable artists such as Giotto, Brunelleschi and Donatello.

Santa Croce Square is not only filled with daily street performers, but is also home to activities throughout the year.

The Basilica of the Cross (Santa Croce) is also known as the Temple of Italian Glory because it is the resting place of many illustrious Italians. Its mausoleum has nearly 300 tombs dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries.

Some of the most famous people buried in Santa Croce are Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli, Lorenzo Ghiberti or Michelangelo.

The ticket gives visitors access to the cathedral, its chapel, two churches, a small museum, and several smaller halls.

If you can only visit one church in Florence, we recommend a visit to Santa Croce. Its sculptures and sheer size of the building are sure to impress.

To explore all that Santa Croce has to offer, we recommend spending at least an hour viewing the interior of the church.

Business hours:

Monday to Saturday: 9:30 am to 5 pm.

Sundays and public holidays: 2pm to 5pm

Epiphany, Assumption, All Saints, and Immaculate Conception: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed: January 1, Easter, June 13, October 4, December 25 and 26.

Fare:

Adults: €8 (US$8.7)

Students (ages 11 to 17): €6 (US$6.50)

Children (under 11 years old) and disabilities: free admission.

Guided tour of Santa Croce Cathedral with a guide: €45