Santa Croce is one of the great basilicas in Florence. Here Giotto painted some of his great masterpieces and French writer Stendhal experienced his profound artistic agitation, since then known as the “Stendhal syndrome”.

The monumental complex of Santa Croce – which includes the Basilica, the Pazzi Chapel, the cloisters, the Last Supper and the convent spaces – preserves an immense artistic heritage including the splendid paintings by Giotto and Vasari’s “Last Supper”.

Completed in 1320, the Franciscan church of Santa Croce quickly became a favourite sacred place of noble and illustrious Florentines. Here you can find the resting places of: Galileo, Michelangelo, Macchiavelli, Ugo Foscolo and Vittorio Alfieri, to mention a few, whose tombs were designed by other famous artists such as Giorgio Vasari and Antonio Canova. Lastly, don’t miss out on the Bell Tower, the Sacristy with the famous Crucifix by Cimabue, the Medici Chapel, the Cloisters, the Pazzi Chapel, the Museum and the Basement area.

The splendid basilica faces onto the large Piazza Santa Croce, one of the main squares of the historic centre of Florence and which has become over time a hub for the Florentine cultural and commercial life: a theatre for the city’s festivals, meetings and celebrations, and in the 15th century, it hosted jousts and tournaments on horseback.

Since the end of the 15th century, the matches of Historic Florentine Football have been held in the square; whereas on 14th May 1865, on the occasion of the fifth centenary of poet Dante Alighieri’s birth, a monument dedicated to him was placed on the parvis of the church.

Art and History lovers, here’s the place for you!