Santa Croce

Location	Piazza di Santa Croce
Admission	4 euro
Hours	:Monday to Saturday, 9:30-5:30, Sunday, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Phone	0552466105

The Church of Santa Croce, built over a period of one and a half centuries, is considered one of Arnolfo di Cambio’s greatest masterpieces. The Gothic style arches and geometrical patters characterize both the exterior and interior of the church. The façade of Santa Croce dates from the 19th century. While the view of the church from the outside Piazza is spectacular, the real treasures of Santa Croce lie inside. The Church is the resting place of many of Italy’s most celebrated sons. Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Lorenzo Ghiberti, among others, are entombed inside the walls of Santa Croce, while monuments to Dante Alighieri and Machiavelli are also on display.

As with all places in Florence, the Church of Santa Croce is brimming with art. Works by Donatello, such as his Crucifix and Annunciation, are exemplary of Renaissance sculpture. The walls of the Church are covered in Gothic frescoes by a variety of artists, most notably Giotto and his school.

While visiting Santa Croce, you will notice the comfortably nestled Pazzi Chapel, designed by Brunelleschi. The exterior of the Chapel is notably subtler than the nearby Santa Croce façade, but the impact of its Renaissance style is equally stunning. Santa Croce and all of its various components demonstrate the transformation of art through the ages.