Florence  (Tuscany): pop. 493,000 [ MAP ] 

Santa Croce: Built in 1295 by Arnolfo di Cambio, who realized one of the most beautiful Gothic masterpieces of Italy. It is shaped like an Egyptian cross with three naves interior (114 m long), the choir and the transept with many family chapels frescoed by Giotto and his pupils, making the basilica an important museum of the 3rd century Florentine school. Adjacent to the sacristy is the “Cappella del Noviziato” built by Michelozzo and decorated by Andrea della Robbia. The Basilica has also several sculptures among which the “Crucifix” and the “Annunciation” by Donatello; the “Pulpit” (1480) by Bendetto da Maiano and the “Madonna del Latte” by Rossellino, are worthy of note. The Basilica was the burial place of most distinguished Florentines and there are preserved the tombs of Michelangelo (1570) by Vasari, Galileo Galilei, Vittorio Alfieri, (1810) by Canova.
Next to the Basilica is the Museum of Opera di Santa Croce including the “Cappella dei Pazzi” a Renaissance masterpiece by Brunelleschi and the famous big “Crucifix” by Cimabue. Other works by Donatello, Gaddi, Orcagna, and Veneziano.

Santa Croce - Must see:

• The "Cappella del Noviziato" built in 1434-45 by Michelozzo and decorated by Andrea della Robbia and Mino da Fiesole
• The Pazzi Chapel, in Cloister of the Dead,  by Filippo Brunelleschi
• The Greater Cloister, designed by Brunelleschi and continued after his death by Bernardo Rossellino (1453) with a fine entrance door (1450) by Benedetto da Maiano.
• The Crucifix by Donatello (1425, Bardi Chapel on the left transept)
• Donatello's Annunciation in grey stone with gilded highlights (1430-35)
• The Madonna of Milk place above the tomb of Francesco Nori
• The Pulpit by Benedetto da Maiano (1472-80)
• The Renaissance tomb dedicated to Leonardo Bruni (1369-1444), humanist and Chancellor of the Republic.
• Tomb of Taddeo Gaddi.
• Tomb of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca.
• Tomb of Michelangelo (by Vasari, 1570).
• Tomb of Galileo Galilei,
• Tomb of Vittorio Alfieri (by Canova, 1810).
• The Museum of the Opera of Santa Croce, preserving the powerful Crucifix by Cimabue (1270) and the huge fresco by Taddeo Gaddi (1333) with the Tree of the Cross and the Last Supper.
• Not far from the Basilica it is also possible to visit the Casa Buonarroti Museum (Via Ghibellina, 70), dedicated to Michelangelo and the Horne Museum (Via de' Benci, 6)