The Basilica of Santa Croce is primarily famous for the "Pantheon of Florence" - the graves of famous city dwellers, to which Florence was unusually generous. Here rest Galileo, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Rossini, could rest Dante. In addition, the interior - the wonderful Giotto frescoes and clear multicolored stained glass.

This temple can be called without exaggeration one of the most beautiful, large and ancient Franciscan churches, and all these epithets are applicable to this day. Built in the late 13th century, in the long and turbulent history of the Republic of Florence, the basilica managed to preserve both the amazing frescoes of Giotto and Giambologna, the quaint architectural designs of Brunelleschi, and the work on the altar of Donatello.

The main thing that attracts attention in the basilica of Santa Croce today is 16 chapels, each of which is a masterpiece. Particularly stands the Pazzi Chapel, which was built by the same brilliant and well-stocked in Florence Brunelleschi (look for a chapel in the inner courtyard of the monastery). Perhaps, it was for the beauty of the temple of Santa Croce that the vip-persona of the past were chosen as a resting place.

Namely, the Basilica of the Holy Cross (as translated from it . "Santa Croce") has been fighting for several centuries with Ravenna for the right to possess the ashes of genius Dante . It even has its empty sarcophagus with the embossed name of the poet, but the grave is empty . And the thing is that at one time the inhabitants and rulers of Florence drove Dante out of the city for disloyal attitudes towards the authorities, unwanted statements and, in general, involvement in the opposition . Writer, not hesitating, settled in Ra where he wrote his "Divine Comedy" and died . Then the Florentines realized what genius they had lost . The poet's body was demanded to be returned, but Ravenna refused, they did not want the dead alive, and they did not get a dead one . Since those there is an empty sarcophagus in the basilica, and Dante, we hope, does not turn over in a coffin from such a free treatment of his ashes .

Basilica of Santa Croce

Frescoes in the Basilica of Santa Croce

Stained-glass windows of Santa Croce

By the way, today the basilica is more like a museum than religious structure - come here mostly to gaze at the exquisite work of the great sculptors and artists of those times. The square in front of the cathedral echoes it: it hosts city festivals, holds concerts, here, by the way, play the famous Florentine football in ancient costumes and according to very strict rules

Address: Piazza Santa Croce, 16. Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 9:30 - 17:30, Sunday: 13:00 - 17:30. The cost of the visit is 5 EUR, children - 3 EUR.