Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Santa Croce
q
The magnificent Gothic church of Santa Croce (1294)
contains the tombs of many famous Florentines,
including Michelangelo and Galileo. The spacious, airy
interior is enhanced by the radiant frescoes of Giotto and
his gifted pupil, Taddeo Gaddi, painted early in the 14th
century. The Arnolfo and Brunelleschi Cloisters provide
visitors with fine examples of Renaissance architectural
precision, and a moment of peace and tranquillity during
their tour. The rest of the monastic buildings ranged
around the cloister form a museum
of religious painting and sculpture.
The façade
was reclad with
coloured marble in 1863 paid
for by an English benefactor,
Francis Sloane.
Lorenzo Ghiberti
(1378-1455), creator
of the magnificent
doors of Florence's
Baptistry, is buried
here, along with his
sons and assistants,
Vittorio and Lorenzo.
Machiavelli
(see p53)
was buried
here in 1527. His monument, by
Innocenzo Spinazzi, was
erected in 1787.
Ticket booth
and entrance
Galileo's Tomb
Condemned by the church in
1633, Galileo was denied a
Christian burial until 1737,
when this tomb by Giulio
Foggini was erected.
Michelangelo's Tomb
Michelangelo never completed
the
Pietà
he planned for his own
tomb
(see p67)
. This monument
was designed in 1570 by
Vasari. The figures are
Painting, Architecture
and Sculpture.
Exit
STAR FEATURES
.
Cimabue's
Crucifixion
. Fresco by Gaddi in
Baroncelli Chapel
Tree of Life
by Taddeo
Gaddi
.
Cimabue's Crucifixion
This ruined 13th-century
masterpiece still expresses the
grandeur of Cimabue's artistry.
Refectory
. Cappella de' Pazzi
