Santa Croce - the Temple of Italic Glories

The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence was a point of attraction already in the XIX century. It is also known as the "Pantheon of Italic Glory". The monumental tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Niccolò Machiavell are the first that come to our attention.

The church itself is rather impressive. The XIX century French writer Stendhal was so overwhelmed with the beauty of his surroundings that it made him feel ill. The Stendhal Syndrome became notorious, after this first instance.

At Santa Croce you will find not only sculptures and tombs but a number of paintings. Giotto worked there, and the two chapels frescoed by him are corner-stones of Italian painting. Agnolo Gaddi frescoed the beautiful Central Chapel with the Stories of the True Cross. He also worked at the Castellani Chapel and left us Episodes of the lives of four saints.

A great variety of art works and styles makes the visit even more interesting, as the pieces are still in the same places they were created for.