Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence: photos and reviews of tourists

Basilica of Santa Croce (Florence) — one of the main churches of the city and the largest Franciscan Church in the world, built in the late 13th century in the Florentine Gothic style, is famous as the Pantheon of Florence because of the large number of tombs, which buried many prominent Italians.

Construction History

According to legend, the founder of Santa Croce is Francis of Assisi (died 1226), patron Saint of Italy, who renounced material wealth to give people ideas of repentance and peace. Although its construction began in 1295 on the site of a small oratory built by the Franciscans, near the river Arno. The name of Santa Croce (Florence) — Church of the Holy cross in Italian. The project is implemented A. di Cambio, a local sculptor and architect. The construction was on the money of the rich Florentine families, who considered it an honor to Fund the construction of the Holy abode, and continued for almost 150 years. The Basilica was consecrated in 1443 by Pope Eugene the 4th.

The appearance of the Church over the centuries has changed several times. This is especially true of the facade of Santa Croce (Florence): photo shows the beginning of the 19th century it absolutely unadorned. The current appearance of the facade with its 3 portals, white marble were made only in 1853-1863. architect N. By Matas in neo-Gothic style on the money of the English Protestants, particularly the British philanthropist F. George. Sloan. That is why the decoration was a blue six-pointed star of David is not a symbol of Christianity.

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Florence: Basilica of Santa Croce (photo and description)

The building is constructed in the form of a T-shaped cross. Over the past century slowly on all sides was added to the Annex (chapel). The lower Basilica is decorated with beautiful arcades, top — the double Windows. On the left side of the building is the portico of an airy and light arches.

The Destruction occurred in the 16th century, in 1512 old steeple was shattered by lightning, were able to restore it only to 1847 on the project John. Baccani, and now she is a wonderful addition to the main building.

Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence also includes 3 of the monastery, one of which is designed by A. di Cambio. The other, located in the southern part of Brunelleschi and is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries of Florence. Smaller 3rd monastery (13th C.) closes the group of extraordinary buildings of the Franciscans.

Before the Church of Santa Croce in the square is a statue of Dante, created by the sculptor E. Pacie in 1865 Previously, she was in the center, but then was postponed because of mass events closer to the building.

Interior of Santa Croce

The Inner part consists of a huge monumental space with a length of 115 m, made using unique design solutions. This is particularly evident in the device of the Central nave, separated from two side vertical pillars of the 8-pointed cross-section, from which the soaring pointed arches.

At the time the decision of the interior of the Basilica was a bold and unconventional, allowing to distinguish it from other religious buildings of the city. Light enters through stained glass Windows, made by A. Gaddy.

In the 16th century the Church was reconstructed, which (according to the experts) lost some of its beauty. Ceiling made of truss type, and floor tombstones, occupying almost the entire space of the nave.

The Church's Altar and frescoes

The Murals that adorn the walls near the main altar, made by A. Gaddy (1387) by the legend of the True Cross. On the right side: the Archangel Michael sends a branch of the tree of knowledge, the Queen of Sheba and worship of the wood of the cross, etc. On the left — SV. Elena brings SV.The cross in Jerusalem, then the king Percy takes him, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius returns the Cross to Jerusalem, etc. the Frescoes contain many appliances and fabulous scenes. Beautiful old stained glass Windows were made in the 14th century.

The altarpiece, written by N. Gerini, depicts the Madonna and child, the side panel was done by other artists, in the upper part — “Crucifixion” painted by masters of the school of Giotto.

Crowns the altar one of the unique paintings of the Church — the “Crucifixion”, which was created by master Cimabue. This large painting (4,5x3,9 m), placed on a wooden cross, is the most impressive version of the crucifixion. However, during the flood in 1966, the work was so badly damaged that even attempts of restoration could not be fully recovered.

The Chapel Church

Inside the Church of Santa Croce (Florence) to the transepts is 16 chapels (chapels), each of which is a separate extension. The chapel is decorated with unique frescoes and sculptures from different centuries that were performed the most famous artists from Italy: Matteo Rosselli, John. To San Giovanni, Fra Bartolomeo, John. If Bondone and his disciples.

The Most famous of them:

• The Chapel Maggiore and the mural “Legend of the Holy Cross" made by A. Gaddy (1380).
• Cappella Castellani frescoed by A. Gaddy with scenes from the lives of the Saints (1385).
• Baroncelli Chapel with the family tomb and impoverished, painted by T. Gaddy “Madonna" on other walls — the motives of the life of the virgin Mary.
• The Chapel of Rinuccini is the wizard John. Di Milano, depicting the life of Magdalene and the virgin Mary (1379).
• Peruzzi Chapel contains a picture of the life of I. I. the Baptist and the Evangelist, painted by the artist Giotto.
• Cappella Bardi — highlights the life of FR. Of Assisi (the artist Giotto).
• Other chapel (Medici, Tosini, Police, etc.) also store priceless works of art.

Inside the Basilica is the Monastery yard, which also has exits to the chapel. So, the Cappella dei Pazzi, named “the real gem of the Early Renaissance" adorned with the finest works of Brunelleschi (1443), decorated by the famous Italian masters D. da Settignano, L. dela Robbia, John. Da Maiano. In front of the chapel there is the pronaos, consisting of Corinthian columns. In 1461, she was covered by a small dome.

The Pantheon of Santa Croce

In the Church of Santa Croce (Florence) are buried the most famous people of Italy and honorary citizens of Florence. Part of graves — the true, where dead celebrities are buried, and the other, called cenotaphs, — gravestones not containing human remains.

Santa Croce is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, because it contains the monument-the tomb of L. Bruni, Italian politics, created in 1444 by the wizard
B. Rosselino. This monument has become a model for future works of the Renaissance, including a tombstone K. Marsuppini near the North wall of the Church.

The Most famous tombstones placed along the right of the nave South wall:

• Monument-a bust of Michelangelo, completed a master by Vasari (1579), and many statues and figures of J. Battista V. Cioli. Although Michelangelo died in Rome, but willed to be buried in his hometown. In fulfilling its mandate and with the permission of the mayor of Florence, L. Buonarotti had stolen the body of Michelangelo from Rome and secretly flew him down here.

• The Cenotaph of Dante Alighieri and the statues of the heroes of his works made by the sculptor Ricci (1829).
• Monument of Machiavelli's work of Spinacia (1787).
• Tomb of Galileo Galilei, dead in 1642, however, because of the ban of the Church was not buried according to Christian customs before 1737 when his body was taken and placed in the Church, sculpture and a bust of Galileo Bowring.Battista Foggini.

• Tombstone of the composer Giuseppe Verdi. Rossini, who praised Italy Opera "Il Barbiere di Siviglia". 9 years after death in 1868 in Paris, his body was transferred from the Pere Lachaise cemetery and buried here in Florence.
• Tombstone of the historian and diplomat N.Machiavelli.
• Tomb of Joseph Napoleon, and his daughter, etc.

On the Whole territory of the Church are buried nearly 300 eminent Italians, and every tombstone is decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs.

Interesting facts

One of the attractions of the Church — made by Florentine PIO Fedi in 1883, the statue of Poetry, dedicated to the memory of poet and playwright George. Battista, With. She has installed above his tomb in the Basilica of St. Cross.

This Figure is very much like the statue of Liberty, the work of renowned French sculptor FR. Bartholdi (1887). Known Bartholdi in 1870 he lived in Florence and was apparently inspired by the work of Italian sculptor.

Of Great interest to tourists is the Cenotaph of the famous poet Dante (1265-1321), located in the Church of Santa Croce (Florence). The story of the tomb of the poet, famous for his "divine Comedy” and created the modern literary Italian, lasts for several hundreds of years. After the death of the poet of Florence is struggling with the city of Ravenna for the right to carry and bury his remains, but could not do it. It all happened in the 14th century by the fault of the rulers and inhabitants of Florence, who banished Dante from the city for the objectionable statements and opposing views. The writer moved to Ravenna, where he soon died. When Florence began to ask to give her the ashes of Dante, Ravenna is not agreed, and since then the sarcophagus in Santa Croce is empty.

Santa Croce: location, opening hours, prices

To find the famous Basilica, you need to come to the square of Santa Croce (Florence), where she is. This square in the old days was the site of fairs and tournaments, now a venue for festivals, performances and concerts. It is sometimes hold competitions Florentine football, where players are dressed in ancient costumes and compete according to the rigid old rules.

In Santa Croce (Florence) opening hours of the Museum-the Church from 9.30 to 17.30 on weekdays and Saturdays, public holidays — from 14.00 to 17.00.

The ticket Pricein the Church: 8 Euro, reduced tickets for children aged 11-17 years old, school children-4 euros, free entrance for children under 11 years of age, residents of Florence, the disabled and carers.

Reviews

Tourists visiting the beautiful Church of Santa Croce (Florence), greeted by a magnificent and majestic sight: each chapel inside the Church — a private Museum representing the works of great artists, every tombstone is a masterpiece of sculptural art. Thoughts and feelings, which are expressed by the famous writer Stendhal, who visited the Basilica: the excitement, bordering on reverence. Exactly the same impression it is a monumental work on modern people.