Basilica di Santa Croce, Firenze

The Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the principal Franciscan church in Florence, Italy, and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 meters south-east of the Duomo. The site, when first chosen, was in marshland outside the city walls. Santa croce protects the tombs of great artists such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, the poet Foscolo, the philosopher Gentile and the composer Rossini, thus it is known also as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie).

Another fascinating thing about this structure is that the structure we see today was not built from scratch but it was rebuilt and altered during 1294 A.D. Later in the year 1442 when the basilica was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV it mades its new point in history erasing its previous purpose. The floor is egyptian or a tao cross which runs for a 115 meters. The basilica is huge and know for its 16 chapels, wonderful architecture and sculpting. I am really fortunate to live right next to santa croce. To see it every morning before I go to college just brightens up my day.

You will never meet the same face again, as you see hundreds and hundreds of tourists visiting Santa Croce each day.
Another fascinating thing many people do not know is that under this basilica you have numerous underground tunnels and catacombs for hundreds of miles which are basically off limits. This is one of the reason why florence does not have underground metros. Just beneath the streets we walk each day are the catacombs, I wish to visit them one day!

Ciao! Until next time!