This is the Santa Croce in Florence, with tombs of historical figures

In addition to Cathedral Duomo, al visit Florence you must take into account above all two churches that stand out from the rest, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce.

After visiting it on my last trip to the Tuscan capital, and with the experience of my visitI will tell you that church of Santa Croce It is the one that has the greatest interest.

What's more, the visit to this church seemed even more attractive to me than that of the Duomo of Florence, whose interior may possibly disappoint you.

Curiosities from the history of the Santa Croce church

La history of the church of Santa Croce dates back to a small oratory dedicated to the Santa Cruz which the Franciscans built in the year 1221 in a small town outside the walls of Florence, where the poorest people lived.

At the end of the 1295th century, with the rise of commerce, it was decided to build a church that was completed in XNUMX, which became one of the oldest and largest Franciscan churches.

With its T-shaped interior, a very wide central nave, two side aisles, and a wooden ceiling, the church of Santa Croce It received financing from the Florentine nobility for its interior decoration.

Artists of the time participated in this decoration, such as Brunelleschi, Donatello o Giotto.

During the 16th century, due to the change in artistic tastes, the large mural frescoes that adorned the walls of the church were eliminated, and chapels began to be built in both side aisles.

On its altars scenes from the life of Christ.

In parallel, since the 15th century, in the church of Santa Croce large ones began to be built monumental tombs to house the remains of important figures of the time, such as Miguel Angel o Galileo Galilei.

In this way, since the 16th century the church of Santa Croce in Florence began to be known as the Temple of the Glories of Italy.

Finally, it was in the second part of the 19th century when the façade and the bell tower were built.

How to visit and what to see in the Santa Croce of Florence

When visits the interior of the church of Santa CroceFirst, you are surprised by its large central nave, with its wooden ceiling.

But the great attraction of your visit of the church of Santa Croce, riding a Florence, is, without a doubt, the possibility of seeing the tombs and funerary monuments of numerous historical figures in the history of Italy.

In fact, housing these mausoleums is the most distinctive feature of this church compared to others in the area. capital of Tuscany.

Therefore, I can tell you that on your visit to the Santa Croce you must take a leisurely tour of the side naves,

In this way you will have the feeling of taking a walk through the history of Italy looking for the tombs of some of its most prestigious figures.

Which historical figures have their tomb in Santa Croce?

Below I will highlight four funerary monuments that you should not miss on your visit to the church of Santa Croce in Florence.

Monument to Michael Angel Buonarotti in Santa Croce

The first tomb that you find in the right side nave, next to the main façade of the church of Santa Croce, is dedicated to the great Italian artist Michelangelo Buonarotti.

He died in 1564, the funerary monument was made by Vasari in 1578.

Monument to Dante Alighieri in Santa Croce

The Italian poet Dante Alighieri It also has a funerary monument in the church of Santa Croce.

It is the next one you will see in the right side nave.

Now, who died in Ravenna in 1321, this great tomb was built by Stefano Ricci in 1829, after the intention that the remains of Dante Alighieri returned to Florence, from where he was once exiled.

But they never returned, so the funerary monument is empty and the remains of Dante Alighieri They remain in Ravenna.

Monument to Galileo Galilei in Santa Croce

Right in front of the tomb of Miguel Angel, in the left side nave, you will see the funerary monument of Galileo Galilei.

Died in 1642, the great Italian scientist was buried in Florence, and it was in 1737 when the mausoleum that you now see in the church of Santa Croce was built by Battista Foggini.

Monument to Machiavelli in Santa Croce

In the middle of the right side nave of the church of Santa Croce you find the funerary monument dedicated to the politician and philosopher Machiavelli.

He died in 1527, and was buried in the aforementioned church in Florence.

The tomb where his remains rest was made in 1787 by Innocenzo Spinazzi.

Cloister of Santa Croce church

Finally, during your visit you should also pay attention to the great decoration of the High Altar and the chapels that are next to it.

La visit of the church of Santa Croce you will finish it by leaving cloister which opens on the other side of the building, and where you can also see the Pazzi Chapel.

In short, a visit that will not disappoint you at all, and in fact Santa Croce I consider her a essential on your trip to Florence.

Visiting hours of the Santa Croce church in Florence

When planning your visit of Florence, it is good for you to know that currently the Visiting hours of the church of Santa Croce They are, Monday to Saturday, from 9,30:17,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., with last access half an hour before closing.

On Sundays and holidays you can also visit the church of Santa Croce, but with hours from 12,30:17,45 to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

In the official website You can check the days of the year when the church is closed.

The access door to visit the church is found in the gallery known as Long Barguellini, which extends on the left side of the building, if you see the main façade from the Santa Croce square.

Once you visit the church building, you will go to the cloister located next to the south façade, from where you will exit again to the aforementioned square.

Santa Croce ticket prices in Florence

The ticket prices to visit the church of Santa Croce in Florence They are: general admission, 8 euros; Reduced rate for young people from 12 to 17 years old, 6 euros; and free admission, children under 11 years of age and disabled people.

These prices have an additional surcharge if you make the Buy online.

If you want to do the visit with audio guide, the additional price is 4 euros.