SANTA CROCE
The Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce was begun by Arnolfo at the end of the XIII century, but consecrated only in 1443. It is one of the most beautiful gothic churches in Italy even though the facade, in Carrara marble, with strains of green marble is by Nicolò Matas. The Church was gradually enriched by donations from the rich, Florentine families who were allowed to be buried in the chapels inside the church. The gothic interior is of a T form with a nave and two aisles divided by octagonal pillars sustaining huge ogive arch vaults, the walls and the windows are full of frescoes figuring "The stories of San Francesco" works of art of Giotto his disciples Donatello wanted to leave a testimony of his art and sculptured a beautiful crucifix (1425) and the Annunciation (1430 - 1435); in the Chiostro dei Morti (cloister of the Dead) we found the Cappella dei Pazzi projected by Brunelleschi.
He also projected the Chiostro Grande which was later built by Bernardo Rossellino. The church contains a big number of works of art. The Renaissance octagonal marble Pulpit by Benedetto da Maiano; the Tomb of Leonardo Bruni by Rossellino which represents the prototype of florentine tombs of XV century; two works by Donatello: the Annunciation and the wooden Crucifix. In the Peruzzi Chapels there are frescoes by Giotto that underwent an unfortunate restoration in 1852. Also the Bardi Chapel was frescoed by Giotto with Stories of St.Francis. The Museum of the Opera di S.Croce has some of the most important florentine masterpieces with works by: Cimabue, Orcagna, Donatello, Domenico Veneziano. Unfortunately many works such as the Crucifix by Cimabue were damaged in the flood of November 1966.
On the far end of the Cloister a magnificent portal of the XV century by Giuliano da Maiano with a front portico that leads to the Pazzi Chapel,last creation of Brunelleschi,who began it in 1443 for Andrea de' Pazzi but died before finishing the facade which, after his death, was continued by his collaborators who left the pronaos incomplete. On the portico, the cupola in the form of an umbrella with ceramic medallions decorated by Luca della Robbia. In the interior many famous artists and others of every branch ok knowledge are buried, to mention a few, Machiavelli, Alfieri, Michelangelo, Galilei.
Florence Hotel De La Pace · Monuments
