Basilica of Santa Croce
Basilica of Santa Croce
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
12:30 PM - 5:45 PM
About
This is the richest medieval church in Florence, which features frescoes by Giotto, a chapel by Brunelleschi and one of the finest of all early Renaissance tombs.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Santa Croce
Stop and stare at the beauty and symmetry of the Basilica of Santa Croce any time day or night. Unraveling around it are a number of architectural and artistic masterpieces, from the Synagogue to the Central National Library. As a hub for young people, the area gets busy with people who want to have fun: a continuous flow of tourists and locals become animated by songs and dances.
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See what travellers are saying
- TualieVarese, Italy1,559 contributionsNot to be missed, the place of origin of the syndrome...“ Florence, 22nd January 1817... the proximity of those great men whose tombs I had just beheld, was already in a state of trance. Absorbed in the contemplation of sublime beauty... as I emerged from the porch of Santa Croce, I was seized with a fierce palpitation of the heart...” ( excerpt from Rome, Naples et Florence, Stendhal). The beauty of most church apses are made by those artistic furnishings like the altar (table), decorated cross, altarpieces but here just imagine them without the furniture and is just breathtaking! Gothic, stained glasses and painted every single inch by the Gaddi family, Vasari and most famous Giotto who painted the smaller right chapels. There are some sculptures made by Donatello. Cimabue badly deteriorated cross by the 1966 flood is there too. Many illustrious are buried there: Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Foscolo, Rossini also cenotaphs like Dante Alighieri and Florence Nightingale. When we went there, no lines at the ticket booth and the basilica (is Franciscan) was almost empty with few people so had a very relaxed visit. As per title, not to be missed.Visited February 2023Travelled with familyWritten October 7, 2023
- Cheryl63Clifton Royal, Canada51 contributionsLovely church with lots of historyWe stopped in here at the last moment and there was no line to get tickets. Entry was very easy. Large church with many masterpieces and tomb of Galileo. The Medici and Pattsi chapels were here as well. Nice break from the crowds and heat. Also toilets were on the propertyVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 11, 2023
- thomas g1 contributionFantastic, Santa Croce experience with Dan Harper.A fantastic tour, and free! Santa Croce comes alive with Dan Harper, our Irish/American expert on Italian history and art. Reach it to Dan to arrange a tour, and let this gastronome suggest a restaurant or two. Danharperflorence@gmail.comVisited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten October 11, 2023
- SMLikestoTravelBengaluru, India391 contributionsBeautiful basilica, burial place of many famous FlorentinesTo buy entry tickets, one needs to go towards the left backside of the building. This is not very obvious hence pointing it out. When we visited late afternoon, there was a decent queue for the tickets. Once inside, watch out for the resting place of Michaelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Dante among others.Visited May 2023Travelled with familyWritten October 15, 2023
- Victoria K18 contributionsMust stop in Firenze!My husband and I visited the basilica and were blown away by the architecture, sculptures and design of each persons tomb. The feeling once inside it quite eerie but that quickly changed once we walked around saw Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Dante Alighieri, and Galileo's tombs which took about a little over an hour to see everything. Do not pass this up!Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 15, 2023
- Richard MHampstead Norreys, United Kingdom937 contributionsMemorials to the best of ItalyThe interior of the church is a lot like lots of others in the city. The stars are the memorials and tombs of some of the great and the good Italy from renainssance artists to modern scientists. Its a whos who of Italian history and well worth the trip.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 22, 2023
- Rich HLeicester, United Kingdom8 contributionsExcellent guided tourWe read the trip advisor reviews from the free tour offered by Dan Harper and we were pleased to get a quick response from Dan when we asked about availability. We joined a tour on the same day and we had a great experience. Dan is such a nice guy and really brings everything to life in his tour. The Basilica is incredible and the stories told by Dan show how much rich history this site has. Although the tour was over 2 hours long, it didn’t feel like that and Dan filled the time from start to finish with his great presentation. It really was the best part of our trip to Florence and we would highly recommend finding time to fit this in. We contacted Dan by email: danharperflorence@gmail.comVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 25, 2023
- Michael OBuffalo, New York147 contributionsAmazing Building Knowledgeably ExplainedWe had an amazing English speaking tour with Dan Harper, a local volunteer who helps promote beautiful things about Florence in his role here as a docent for a local art society. Dan visited Florence 40 times and then moved here several years ago and he shared amazing insights about the artwork and design of this exceptionally beautiful and fully loaded structure. We did make a free will donation to the art society after the tour but certainly not compulsory. We just finished 2 1/2 amazing weeks all over northern Italy and this was one of the most wonderful things that we did. You can reach Dan easily at danharperflorence@gmail.comVisited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten October 25, 2023
- GoingGuideNottingham, United Kingdom2,122 contributionsAmazing placeA unique Basilica as it is the burial place of a number of famous people, including Marconi, Dante, Michaelangelo, Galileo and Leonardo da Vinci, to name a few. The interior is also includes many amazing pieces of artwork by various artists, including Giotto. Really awe inspiring experience and well worth a visit.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 26, 2023
- Shell B4 contributionsA lesser known treasure in Florence !!Fantastic church. Home to many famous Italian legends,Galileo, Machiavelli, Michelangiolo and more. Highly recommend. While others are waiting to get into St Marks, you can be through Santa Croce! Highly recommended!!Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten October 28, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Chris B
Arlington, VA165 contributions
Sept 2021
Tickets are needed to get in but the line moved quickly so it's probably not worth buying the ticket in advance. Once inside, head for the altar which has stunning displays. There's a beautiful piece of artwork with St Francis at the altar - really stunning.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad6,366 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This Basilica is not only beautiful but holds great history. It is revealed that a splinter from the cross was part of this church and the mainly famous italian people are buried here.
To enter the church you need to pay, but from the artwork alone its worth the fee to enter.
It is one site not to miss when in Florence.
To enter the church you need to pay, but from the artwork alone its worth the fee to enter.
It is one site not to miss when in Florence.
Written June 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LindaM1959
Cardiff, UK95 contributions
Feb 2020
We found this church to be extremely interesting on a number of levels. The church itself is the burial site for a number of famous Italians, the frescoes and art in the church are beautiful plus there is a museum with additional pieces of interest. There is also a lot of reference to floods in this area over the years and the damage it has done. We really enjoyed our visit and spent several hours walking around. There is an entry fee of €8 each which seemed good value for money to us.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas Liam
Montreal, Canada385 contributions
Apr 2022
What a wonderful basilica. Fair warning, it's a fair bit more expensive than most churches at 8 euros. In my experience in Italy, that's quite high and most churches allow you to enter for free and just expect a donation.
HOWEVER, I would argue it's well worth the cost. In fact, I think this church is even better than the most famous one in the city: Santa Maria del Fiore. It's less crowded, better adorned, you have more freedom to wander around the grounds, and you are treated to the tombs of two of the most influential men of their time; Michelangelo and Galileo. In addition, monuments to Machiavelli and Dante.
I found the inside so peaceful. After paying my respects to Michelangelo and Galileo and wandering around the inside, I sat and just watched in the pew. There is a distinct Florentine style to this church, and although I can't quite verbalize what that looks like, you will know it when you see it. There is a minimalism, an expert use of negative space.
Once you are finished in the church you can enter the courtyard that is equally as quaint. There is also a small chapel in the courtyard. Opposite the small gift shop/booth you will find placards discussing the horrible floods that inundated the chapel. There are 3 in particular they discuss, the worst of which was the most recent in 1966. They show you just how high the water got and it was unbelievable to imagine. A particular painting in the chapel, I believe by Vasari, had been utterly ruined by the water damage. They had to put it in storage, but due to the advancement of technology, were able to fix it. It now looks as if new.
Overall, if you are pressed for time I would highly recommend Santa Croce as your choice over Santa Maria del Fiore.
HOWEVER, I would argue it's well worth the cost. In fact, I think this church is even better than the most famous one in the city: Santa Maria del Fiore. It's less crowded, better adorned, you have more freedom to wander around the grounds, and you are treated to the tombs of two of the most influential men of their time; Michelangelo and Galileo. In addition, monuments to Machiavelli and Dante.
I found the inside so peaceful. After paying my respects to Michelangelo and Galileo and wandering around the inside, I sat and just watched in the pew. There is a distinct Florentine style to this church, and although I can't quite verbalize what that looks like, you will know it when you see it. There is a minimalism, an expert use of negative space.
Once you are finished in the church you can enter the courtyard that is equally as quaint. There is also a small chapel in the courtyard. Opposite the small gift shop/booth you will find placards discussing the horrible floods that inundated the chapel. There are 3 in particular they discuss, the worst of which was the most recent in 1966. They show you just how high the water got and it was unbelievable to imagine. A particular painting in the chapel, I believe by Vasari, had been utterly ruined by the water damage. They had to put it in storage, but due to the advancement of technology, were able to fix it. It now looks as if new.
Overall, if you are pressed for time I would highly recommend Santa Croce as your choice over Santa Maria del Fiore.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JurreSilbi
Krakow, Poland74 contributions
Jan 2020
The origin of this basilica is dated back to 13th century. It also served as a national pantheone. Many great persons are burried here, including Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Puccini to name only few. Fantastic paintings and frescs created by the great artists, amond them Giorgio Vasari’s The Last Supper and also the famous crucific which is the work of Cimabue. Basilica suffered from tragic floods in 1966 and has been renovated since then. Don’t miss the Noviciate (sacrysty with crucifix) and the museum where Vasari’s The Last Supper is on display. The most astinishin to us was that there were many tourist groups passing by but Basilica was almost empty. But this was in January, which I can solely recommend for a visit. Practical advice; take warmer coat as it is generally cold inside. We planned to study art in a more detailed way, therefore the visit took 4 hours. Naturally, you may complete the tour in one hour.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carlajdi
State of Sao Paulo101 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Lovely place with such a history! St. Francis saw that poor people used to drink water from a fountain and he ordered to build this church near them. Worth the visit for the price (8 euros/adult - with free bathroom!)
There is this panel with St. Francis story inside the church. And the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo and other VIPs.
There is a garden and some beautiful paintings as well.
There is this panel with St. Francis story inside the church. And the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo and other VIPs.
There is a garden and some beautiful paintings as well.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gloria K
Berlin, Germany156 contributions
May 2019
This was my favorite indoor place to visit in Florence. The facade looks so modest and simple as most of the Franciscan churches are but the interior is simply stunning. There were some sections undergoing renovations but that didn't make the visit less enjoyable. It was very humbling to stand there next to the burial places of some of the most remarkable Italians such as Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, among others. If I'm not mistaken a single ticket was around 8 euros at the time we visited.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex K
London, UK1 contribution
Sept 2022
If you are visiting Florence, our number 1 recommendation is that you email Dan Harper and arrange a tour of the Basilica of Santa Croce with him. Dan is the most charming tour guide who we instantly warmed to. He knows so much about the history of Florence and is happy to share his knowledge with tourists. He ties everything together with such enthusiasm and skill; the tour was a fantastic history lesson for all of us (2 adults in their 50s with 3 university age children).
Santa Croce is a beautiful building that is full of art and sculpture as well as being a home to the epitaphs of many famous Florentines. Dan is brilliant at linking these altogether so you come away having learned so much about this most-significant building. It is essential that visitors spend time at the Santa Croce when visiting Florence. We loved it more than the Duomo.
Dan Harper is the guy to help you fully appreciate how important the cathedral is. You won't be disappointed.
danharperflorence@gmail.com
Santa Croce is a beautiful building that is full of art and sculpture as well as being a home to the epitaphs of many famous Florentines. Dan is brilliant at linking these altogether so you come away having learned so much about this most-significant building. It is essential that visitors spend time at the Santa Croce when visiting Florence. We loved it more than the Duomo.
Dan Harper is the guy to help you fully appreciate how important the cathedral is. You won't be disappointed.
danharperflorence@gmail.com
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J&S_Singapore
Singapore, Singapore5,482 contributions
Nov 2022
This the principal Franciscan church in Florence and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the famous Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 meters south-east of the Duomo.. It is the also burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo Galile, Machiavelli, the poet Foscolo, the philosopher Gentile and the composer Rossini, thus it is known also as the Temple of the Italian Glories . We were at nearby for a Day Tour of Florence and spent some time here.
Treasued and an immense artistic wealth in Santa Croce include frescoes by Gaddi (in the Cappella Maggiore sharing the story of the holy cross "santa croce") showing scenes from the life of St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist. There’s also the crucifix by Cimabue, bronze and gilded statue of Saint Louis of Toulouse. A draw for tourist all over the World.
From the exterior we can see that Santa Croce is a church in the Gothic style with a whitish shade but we understand that a neo-gothic facade was designed and added on in the 19th century.
A notable point is the huge church square (piazza Santa Croce) in front of the basilica. It is one of the city hot spots, and is well known for its leather shops and stalls where you can find good bargains on leather goods. In fact we dropped by 1 of them whose owner was the operator of lunch restaurant we encountered.!
The large square is used as an open air market (in Winter for a Christmas market). We were here in end-Nov and it was setup, so we had much fun till about 7pm before we head back to Hotel.
Treasued and an immense artistic wealth in Santa Croce include frescoes by Gaddi (in the Cappella Maggiore sharing the story of the holy cross "santa croce") showing scenes from the life of St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist. There’s also the crucifix by Cimabue, bronze and gilded statue of Saint Louis of Toulouse. A draw for tourist all over the World.
From the exterior we can see that Santa Croce is a church in the Gothic style with a whitish shade but we understand that a neo-gothic facade was designed and added on in the 19th century.
A notable point is the huge church square (piazza Santa Croce) in front of the basilica. It is one of the city hot spots, and is well known for its leather shops and stalls where you can find good bargains on leather goods. In fact we dropped by 1 of them whose owner was the operator of lunch restaurant we encountered.!
The large square is used as an open air market (in Winter for a Christmas market). We were here in end-Nov and it was setup, so we had much fun till about 7pm before we head back to Hotel.
Written December 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marieka86
United Kingdom252 contributions
Dec 2019
Resting place of the great and the good - it's like taking an entire Italian historical and cultural tour on one little spot. I only wish there was more information available, or I'd prepared better, to get the most out of what was there. (Although I realise it is still a church and not a museum!) The building itself is a feast for the eyes and there's lots of corners and aspects to explore (including the history of flooding), then relax in the peaceful courtyard garden. Well worth the ticket price and, unusually for Florence, I found no need for timed tickets or a queue, but give yourself plenty of time to wander within!
Written April 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
¿ se pueden hacer fotos en el interior, zona de tumbas, y capilla Medici? ¿ son fáciles de encontrar las tumbas de personas célebres? ¿ algún papa enterrado?
Riesci a scattare foto all'interno, nell'area della tomba e nella cappella medicea? Le tombe di personaggi famosi sono facili da trovare? Qualche papà sepolto?
Can you take pictures inside, tomb area, and Medici chapel? Are the graves of famous people easy to find? Some buried pope?
Können Sie Bilder im Inneren, im Grabbereich und in der Medici-Kapelle machen? Sind die Gräber berühmter Persönlichkeiten leicht zu finden? Irgendein begrabener Vater?
Pouvez-vous prendre des photos à l'intérieur, dans la tombe et dans la chapelle des Médicis? Les tombes de personnages célèbres sont-elles faciles à trouver? Un père enterré?
Written February 4, 2020
Yes you can take photos inside. There are a lot of famous tombs, including Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli & Galileo Galilei. There is also a tomb for Dante although Dante is not actually inside it because he was exiled and is buried elsewhere. From memory, I think the tombs were quite easy to identify.
Written February 6, 2020
We will be in Florence in the last week of March, and it is not the peak of the traveling season. I know Florence is always crowded, but wondering if at that tie if the year it would be safer to get ticket to the Santa Croce before traveling, or if we should risk to get when we arrive there. Thanks!
Written October 15, 2019
I wouldn't get a ticket before arrival. Beautiful place full of history.
Written January 12, 2020
horario Misa dias sabado en alguna Iglesia de Florencia
Written August 6, 2019
quiero ir día sábado a misa y no se horarios ni Iglesia que la oficie
Written August 6, 2019
Se pueden dejar flores en las tumba de Galileo?
Written December 1, 2018
I think so. You can lay some in front of it. Or you spend a candle...
Written December 1, 2018
How strict are the entrance times if you have pre-purchased a ticket? I see that the entrance times are every 30 minutes...does that mean you can show up any time within a 30 minute window? Or do they expect you exactly at the time of your ticket? Thanks in advance!
Written September 8, 2018
We had a Firenze card and walked right in with no reserved time. Highly recommend getting the card generally.
Written September 12, 2018
Hello all, we will be in Florence for one day (a Tuesday) and do not want to miss this church. We will not be able to nail down a specific time slot however. The website for the church says your can but tickets good for 6 months (for a few extra euro)...has anyone done this and is it truly walk in anytime experience with these tickets?
Thanks!
Written March 28, 2018
Not sure when you ate going ..In January walked right in no wait no problem
Written April 4, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Hi,
can reserve tickets upon arrival for late morning entrance on Thursday 16th March 2018..
Thank you.
Written March 14, 2018
No. You just need to go to the church. Sorry for the late response
Written March 15, 2018
Hello we are a party of 7 and we like to visit the church and the leather shop, does anyone know if we can get tickets online? Also if the leather shop is open on Monday September 25, 2017?
Written September 24, 2017
It is open Monday - Saturday , incl shops,
9:30 am - 5:30 pm
You can buy tickets on line but I am not permitted to put the link up here -just follow through from the church website on the internet
Written September 24, 2017
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