The Basilica di Santa Croce

According to legend, the church's first stone was laid by Saint Francis of Assisi himself, the founder of the Franciscan order. However, this is merely a legend. Francis of Assisi died in 1226, whereas the construction of Santa Croce began in 1294 on the site of a small church dedicated to him. It is believed that the architect was Arnolfo di Cambio. The work was financed by wealthy Florentine families, whose names the 16 chapels within the church bear. A significant amount of money was spent to ensure their place in history.

In 1442, the Church of Santa Croce was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV.

Over its eight centuries, the basilica has changed its interior appearance and has been expanded several times, but it has never been completely rebuilt. Its facade has been preserved thanks to restoration work. Many masterpieces inside the church were seriously damaged during the flood of 1966. The monastery at Santa Croce ceased to function by the end of the 18th century. Today, the church and its surrounding area serve as a museum complex.

The Basilica of Santa Croce is executed in the Gothic style. Its facade is clad in marble and looks restrained—with no frescoes, stained glass, or sculptures. In the exterior decor, one can see the Star of David above the rose window and crosses over three arch spans. The church has a T-shaped cross layout and consists of three naves, separated by rows of giant columns with pointed arches. The interior design was overseen by the famous Italian architect Giorgio Vasari. The length of the central nave is 115 meters, its height is 34 meters, and its width is 20 meters. It merges with the side aisles, creating a sense of unified space. Vasari decided to position the main nave so that it is illuminated by sunlight from all sides through numerous stained glass windows. The church altar is adorned with frescoes on the theme of the Finding of the Holy Cross, as well as various Christian legends. Its central panel features an image of Madonna with Child, and at the top, there's a large Crucifixion.

The 16 chapels, or separate chapels, within the Basilica di Santa Croce are of special value, each appearing as a true masterpiece. Visitors can move between them, enjoying the creations of genius artists from different eras. They bear the names of wealthy Florentine families who invested in the church's construction. Among the most interesting and beautiful are:

The Pazzi Chapel is the largest and most opulent, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and one of his most brilliant works. Its facade is decorated with a portico supported by six Corinthian columns and elegant arches, while the interior features pilasters, stucco ornamentation, and colored relief medallions.

The Baroncelli Chapel boasts stained glass and frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi, sculptures of the Archangel Michael and Mary, and an image of Madonna with Child.

The Medici Chapel contains works by Renaissance artists and a magnificent bas-relief with Madonna.

The Rinuccini Chapel allows visitors to admire one of Giovanni da Milano’s best works — a painting depicting Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary.

The Bardi Chapel houses a wooden crucifix by Donatello, as well as frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Francis of Assisi.

The Church of Santa Croce is nicknamed the "Florentine Pantheon". It houses the tombs of prominent individuals born in Florence — Michelangelo Buonarroti, Vittorio Alfieri, Michal Oginski, Niccolò Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, and other notable Italians. Dante Alighieri's tomb could have been here, but the basilica only has his cenotaph — his remains are kept in Ravenna. Near the main entrance, there's his monument with a raven, created by sculptor Enrico Pazzi in 1865 to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Alighieri's birth. It's worth noting that Santa Croce was probably originally conceived as a pantheon—its floor bears some ancient tombstones with now unreadable names. Additionally, about 300 noble Florentines — wealthy individuals, politicians, and public figures — are buried here.