SANTA CROCE CHURCH

The Santa Croce square and church - Florence, Italy

This Franciscan church is situated in the Santa Croce Square. Its most notable feautures are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils. The church is the burial place of some of the most illustrious italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.

Santa Croce was founded by St Francis himself. The construction of the courrent church, to replace an older building, was begun in year 1294. It is considerd as the oldest church in Florence.

The main cluster houses the Cappella de Pazzi designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.

The cluster of the church of Santa Croce - Florence, Italy

In the 19th century a Jewish architect Niccoló Matas dedigned a neo-gothic facade, working a prominent Star of David into the composition.

The David Star of the Santa Croce's church - Florence, Italy

Today the former dormitory of the Franciscan Friars, wich is at the back of the Dante's statue, houses the Leather School. Visitors can watch how artisans craft purses, wallets and other leather goods wich are sold at the school shop.

Dante Alighieri and the former dormitory of the Franciscans Friars