Basilica of Santa Croce, Minor basilica in Florence, Italy
The Basilica di Santa Croce is a Franciscan church in eastern Florence and also part of the city's World Heritage Site. The interior is supported by slender octagonal columns that separate a central nave from two aisles, while sixteen chapels decorated with frescoes line the walls.
Arnolfo di Cambio designed the new structure starting in 1294, replacing an earlier church, and it was consecrated only in 1442. The neo-Gothic marble facade arose between 1857 and 1863 following a design by the Jewish architect Niccolò Matas.
The building houses the tombs of leading figures in Italian history, including artists, scientists, and writers who found their final resting place here. A cenotaph honors Dante Alighieri, though he lies buried in Ravenna, highlighting the role of this church as a pantheon of culture.
Access is through Piazza Santa Croce, located roughly 800 meters (half a mile) southeast of Florence Cathedral. The building is fully wheelchair accessible and suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.
The 19th-century facade carries a Star of David, which architect Matas incorporated into the neo-Gothic marble decoration. This symbol reflects the Jewish origin of the designer and is a rare mark in a Christian place of worship.
Location: Florence
Inception: 1294
Architects: Arnolfo di Cambio
Official opening: 1442
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Fondo Edifici di Culto
Address: Piazza Santa Croce
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 09:30-17:30; Sunday 12:30-17:45
Phone: +390552466105
Email: segreteria@operadisantacroce.it
Website: https://santacroceopera.it
GPS coordinates: 43.76845,11.26274
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03
Florence displays Renaissance architecture and art at every street corner. The city features 15th-century buildings, churches with marble facades, and museums with old master paintings. The Arno River divides the city while Ponte Vecchio spans across. From the hills, views extend over the red roofs and the cathedral dome.
The cultural monuments and institutions of Tuscany include the cathedrals, museums, squares, and architectural sites of Florence, Pisa, and Siena. The region features medieval buildings like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, major museums such as the Uffizi Gallery, and historic squares like the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Religious buildings include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and the Cathedral of Siena with their distinctive architectures.
National Central Library of Florence
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Pazzi Chapel
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Bardi Chapel
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Peruzzi Chapel
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Monument to Dante
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Cavalcanti Annunciation
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Tomb of Leonardo Bruni
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Baroncelli Chapel
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Marsuppini monument
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Bardi di Vernio Chapel
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Palazzo dell'Antella
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Palazzo Spinelli
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Castellani Chapel
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Palazzo Bargellini
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Velluti Chapel
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Via Giovanni da Verrazzano
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Palazzo Pepi
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Maffeo Barberini Palace
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Giardino di Borgo Allegri
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Palazzo Mori Ubaldini degli Alberti
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Palazzo Borghini
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Casa del boia
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Palazzo Salvetti Sebregondi
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Palazzo Gargiolli
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Palazzo Bardi
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Santa Croce monumental complex
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