کلیسای سانتا کروچه

This basilica/museum is very unique. The tombs of people like Galileo, Michelangelo, Dante, and more are here. The frescoes, artwork, and sculptures are beautiful. The two gardens are relaxing and the audio guide, which you can download on your phone is very helpful.

I highly recommend a visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce when in Florence. Stunningly beautiful both outside and in, and with a shorter queue and smaller crowds than the Florence Cathedral if you're looking for a slightly less busy option. It's an excellent experience that is well worth the 8€ admission fee, with so much to explore in addition to the opulent sanctuary. You can easily spend a few hours discovering all it has to offer, including the tombs of notable Italians such as Machiavelli, Galileo, Michelangelo, Dante, and many more. Continue to the smaller chapels for stunning frescos and more brilliant artwork, and don't miss the large Tree of Life and Last Supper in the Refectory. Very moving.

Visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence was a captivating experience, albeit with some unexpected nuances. Arriving on the first Sunday of the month, when most museums and attractions offer free admission, I was surprised to find that entry to the basilica came at a cost. It struck me as peculiar that access to a place of worship would require payment, especially on a day when cultural institutions across the city opened their doors without charge.

Despite this initial impression, I paid the entrance fee of 8 Euros, while my teenage son, despite being clearly underage, was required to present identification to prove eligibility for free entry. This strict adherence to the fee structure left me with mixed feelings, prompting reflection on the intersection of commerce and spirituality.

Inside the basilica, however, any reservations were quickly dispelled by the awe-inspiring atmosphere and rich history that permeated the space. As one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world, Santa Croce boasts a wealth of historical significance and architectural beauty. The interior is adorned with magnificent frescoes, intricate sculptures, and ornate chapels, each telling a story of faith, art, and human achievement.

One of the most compelling aspects of Santa Croce is its role as a final resting place for many notable figures from Italian history and culture. From Michelangelo and Galileo to Dante and Machiavelli, the basilica serves as a veritable pantheon of the country's greatest minds and talents. Paying homage to these luminaries, I found solace and inspiration in the quiet reverence of their tombs, each a testament to their enduring legacies.

However, amid the solemnity of this sacred space, I couldn't help but observe some visitors who seemed unaware of the significance of their surroundings. Some treated the basilica as merely a tourist attraction, failing to show the proper respect for its religious and historical significance. This served as a reminder of the importance of approaching such sites with mindfulness and reverence, honoring the legacy of those who have come before us.

In conclusion, while my visit to the Basilica of Santa Croce was not without its complexities, it ultimately left a lasting impression of awe and reverence. It serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection of faith, culture, and history, inviting visitors to contemplate the richness of Italy's cultural heritage and the enduring power of human creativity.

This is one of the world's great Franciscan churches Entry is now (6€ per entry) and tickets can be reserved online or purchased at the ticket office upon arrival.

The facade is designed in similar fashion to Duomo and Santa Maria Novella. The interior includes 16 ornately decorated chapels, frescos by the likes of Giotto and Gaddi. This are important tombs of Florentine figures including Galilei and Michelangelo you will see as well.

Additional highlights include Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel, the church cloisters and the Opera Museum. Make sure to see the 13th-century Crucifixion by Cimabue as well as the Tree of Life and Last Supper fresco during your visit.

Such a great basilica and church visit. Worth at least 1+ hours to visit, allow longer if you are enjoying what you see.

Immense, with so much to see it's worth allocating plenty of time to visit this important site. The basilica houses the tombs of many of the famous - Michelangelo, Marconi, Enrico Fermi, Galileo - and it's an outstanding example of Gothic architecture in Italy. The two cloisters are exquisite, and the Pazzi Chapel is well nigh perfect. Throughout, we're reminded of the horror flood of 1966 with markers showing the height of water that swept through this complex. Very sobering.

This Basilica is a bit out of the way from the usual bustling streets of Florence, but worth the walk. Famous figures such as Michelangelo and Galileo are entombed inside this gorgeous church.

A historic church housing the tombs of some great people — like Galileo, Michelangelo, and Dante. There are also memorial plaques for Da Vinci, Fermi (the famous nuclear physicist), and Marconi (the inventor of radio). These great Italians changed the human history and consequently more or less affected us as well!