Santa Croce Church was built in the 14th century and is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Decorated with centuries of precious art it holds the tombs of great Florentines. Forget the €8 entry fee – consider it an investment in an unforgettable experience. It is so worth the price. Imagine stepping into a world adorned with centuries of frescoes by Giotto and his pupils. Their vibrant colors narrate biblical stories, transporting you back in time. But Giotto isn’t the only star here. Look for works by Donatello, Brunelleschi, and countless other masters who have left their artistic fingerprints on Santa Croce.
Santa Croce isn’t just a church; it’s a time capsule overflowing with art, history, and the whispers of legendary Florentines.
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Once inside Santa Croce, stop and admire its sheer height and spaciousness. The wood ceiling with its painted detail is just beautiful!
What’s to See Inside Santa Croce…
The Pantheon of Florentine Legends:
Santa Croce isn’t just a gallery; it’s a resting place for Florentine greats. Here’s where the plot thickens! Dante Alighieri, the literary genius behind The Divine Comedy, doesn’t actually reside here. His remains lie in Ravenna, but Santa Croce honors him with a magnificent cenotaph – a symbolic tomb, a testament to his enduring legacy.
Facing the Giants: Galileo vs. Michelangelo
As you explore, keep an eye out for the tombs lining the walls. On your left, (as you face the altar) is Galileo Galilei, the astronomer who dared to defy the Church with his heliocentric theory that the earth revolved around the sun.
Directly opposite, on your right, Michelangelo Buonarroti, the Renaissance titan, lies in eternal slumber under a breathtaking tomb sculpted by Giorgio Vasari. Imagine the conversations these two giants could have had if they’d met!
Hidden Gems and Local Legends:
A visit to Santa Croce wouldn’t be complete without uncovering some hidden gems. Look for the Pazzi Chapel, designed by the legendary Brunelleschi, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Keep an eye out for the “Last Supper” fresco by Taddeo Gaddi, a lesser-known contemporary of Giotto, offering a unique perspective on this iconic scene.
Plan to spend a few hours as there is so much to take in. Santa Croce has so many treasures, sculptures, paintings, tombs, and frescoes.
Santa Croce’s Frescoes
The frescoes in this church are amazing. They are everywhere you look and in very good condition. Here is a glimpse of some of the walls and ceiling.
This video is incredible if you’ve never seen the flood!
Flood of 1966
In the hallway near the bookstore, notice the photos of the devastating flood of 1966. Inside the museum, they had a great video about the flood and how so many art pieces were lost. Here is just a little clip of that video.
Tombs on the Floor
Look down! The tombs aren’t just confined to the walls. The very floor you walk on is a historical mosaic. Some are flat and worn smooth by centuries of footsteps, while others are raised and ornately decorated. It makes you wonder why they are placed where they are. Are the rich, like relatives of the Medici closer to the altar? The placement wasn’t random. The closer you are to the altar, the higher your social standing in life (and probably death).
Great website for more information about rules for visitors and FAQs.
A Little Humor Too…
We don’t usually laugh in church but we just couldn’t help ourselves this time. If you have ever seen the movie “Letters to Juliet” from 2010, you know how they go looking for “Lorenzo Bartalini.” Well, we were walking down this hallway and Gary pointed to the statue, “Hey look, we found Lorenzo!” We laughed for about ten minutes!
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Santa Croce’s Crucifix With a Story… and Scars
The “Cimabue Crucifix” hanging in the Sacristy is a poignant reminder of resilience. This masterpiece by 13th-century artist Cimabue survived the devastating flood of 1966, a testament to the enduring power of art. Though it bears the scars of the flood, losing about 70% of its surface, it stands tall as a symbol of the city’s ability to rise above adversity. It took ten years to restore the cross and return it to its original home. It was hung high up in the Sacristy for added safety in 2013.
Piazza Santa Croce
Step outside the church and find yourself in the lively Piazza Santa Croce. This charming square is lined with shops and cafes, perfect for grabbing a gelato and soaking in the Florentine atmosphere. Watch children chase pigeons, listen to street musicians, and feel the vibrant energy of the city pulsate around you. During the holidays, you can find tents filled with vendors selling their goods here – especially at Christmastime!
In Conclusion
Santa Croce is more than just a church; it’s a microcosm of Florentine history. It’s a place where faith and art intertwine, where the whispers of scientific revolution echo through the halls, and where legendary figures find their final resting place (or symbolic resting place in Dante’s case). So, ditch the guidebooks and embark on your own adventure. Let Santa Croce unveil its secrets, its stories, and its captivating blend of artistic treasures and historical intrigue. After all, 700 years of history deserve more than a quick glance, wouldn’t you agree?
Editor’s Note: This post was initially published in August 2017, and was updated in July 2024 for accuracy and additional information.
Simple stunning ! The architecture, the brilliance, the tomb, the spiritual experience in this place is got to be bliss !
We spent a month in Florence this past Spring (2017). Our apartment was just around the corner. It is beautiful.
Absolutely breathtaking the amount of detail and time that went into perfecting these masterfully built churches!
The architecture and the detailed drawings are truly marvellous. It is indeed a irony that Galileo’s remains were let inside but his ideas were not welcome until death!
WOW, this church is simply stunning, such detail. Thank you for sharing, I would love to see it in the flesh to get a better feeling 🙂
incredible! what a piece of art hat building is 🙂 such great detail in everything. one for the bucket list
The architecture looks really amazing, and those paintings are really beautiful. I am always love to checkout such beautiful architecture and study about its history, the information you provided really gives a great insight of it.
I love Florence but I still haven’t managed to see Santa Croce without the huge crowds… and I go there at least 1-2 times each year! The inside is impressive tho, I just wish people could be more respectful!
I understand your thoughts. We were there (on line) when it first opened. We like to do that so we ‘sort-of’ beat the crowds. It’s nice to have the place to yourself for a little while, anyway.
One of my favourite churches in Italy, you have captured its beauty and finesse in your stunning photography. A wonderful and descriptive article.
Truly amazing pictures especially the architecture! Simply blissful?
Santa Croce was one of my favourite places to see in Florence, the facade is incredible and I really love all the marble and colours that adorns Florence’s main religious buildings. Beautiful!
I love church architecture! this one is stunning . I visited Rome last year , I’m planning on going back for Florence
Let us know if you need any help in deciding where to go and how much time to spend. We’d be happy to assist!
This church is simply stunning! I never had the opportunity to visit and now I am regretting it! I will definitely need to make sure it is at the top of my list for next time.
This is such a beautiful church. I love the detailing right from the intricate ceiling to the walls. These sculptures speak so much of the place they reside in. Cheers!!
The architecture is amazing! The art, the frescoes are so intricate. It is truly a grand place of worship. As if the town of florence is not beautiful enough, then they have this marvelous churches. Thanks for sharing your photos with us especially me who has never been there, but will soon be.
Thank you for letting me know about this place. The entire post is very well written and I was particularly intrigued by the way 1966 floods have been documented. I guess it’s a reminder that we are mere mortals in front of Nature.
This is absolutely beautiful. The post is very easy to follow and you provided some great tips for new travelers. This is the first Italian focused blog I have seen and it is fantastic. Great work!
Thanks Alex. I can’t thank you enough for your kind words.
Santa Croce is one of our favorite Florentine churches–although we miss the days of free entrance. We once used a close-up of the Cimabue crucifix for our holiday cards. There’s so much more to see in the entire complex beyond the church itself, like the cloisters and the Cenacolo.
Great post. It really is a beautiful and significant cathedral. We’ve been to Florence each of the last 3 years. We were there on a port call in Livorno in 2022 and didn’t have enough time to get in. We were on our way to the cathedral last year, the skies opened and we had to take shelter in a store; by the time the rain let up and we got there it had just closed. This year we made it and went to mass there, it was the shortest mass we’ve ever been to, 16 minutes as I recall, even including communion.