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.
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