Another trip to Firenze part 2

After lunch we headed off to the Basilica di Santa Croce. We crossed back over the Arno and as I looked back I could see the Bardini Gardens that we had visited two weeks ago. You can certainly get a feel for the steepness of the garden.

What a handsome boy!

The Basilica of Santa Croce was built for the Franciscans in 1294 on the base of a former church from 1212. It also is huge with many additional buildings and areas. The church itself has sixteen chapels.

Artistically it is noted for the fresco cycles on Saint Francis and the Story of the True Cross by Agnolo Gaddi in the Capello Maggiore, behind the altar. These date from 1380.

There are also frescoes by Giotto and, in the refectory,  a stunning Last Supper and Tree of Life by Taddeo Gaddi, father of Agnolo.

A panel Histories of Saint Francis dating from 1250 features Saint Francis and surrounding him the important points in his life and mission.

I'm  also a bit partial to the ceramic work of Andrea della Robbia.

However, Santa Croce is most notable today for the many famous Italians buried there.

Marconi

Leonardo da Vinci - memorial only

 Galileo

 Michelangelo
Designed by Vassari, the statues represent sculpture, architecture and painting.

Arts mourning the death of Michelangelo

 Dante

 Rossini

Machiavelli

There is also a statue honouring Florence Nightingale who was born in Florence in 1820, and from where she gained her name.

A small courtyard leads to the exit and allows views of the belltower and dome.

Following on from my comments about paying to enter churches, this one cost €8 (A$12.75) each but we did get another two hours plus of entertainment and we have helped to preserve these treasures for future generations.
We have changed our minds about refusing to pay large entry fees to go into historic buildings.