One of the oldest Franciscan basilica, in which are preserved famous works of art. The gem of the Church of Santa Croce are the works of the greatest Florentine masters: Donatello, Antonio Bernardo and Rossellino, Benedetto da Majano and Desiderio da Settignano.

The Basilica of Santa Croce is one of the largest churches of Florence is also known as the "Temple of the Italian Glories", in reference to the many illustrious Italians who have been buried in its crypt.

The construction of the basilica was begun by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1294 and it was consecrated by the pope in 1442, his nineteenth-century facade has three cusps. The church tower was built on a design by G. Baccani and dates back to 1847. Here, on the left side, there is the fourteenth-century tomb of Francesco dei Pazzi. Instead, in the right side of the church there are the cloisters, with the Pazzi Chapel and the Museum of S. Croce.

The tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini, just to name a few, can be found at Santa Croce. There is also a cenotaph dedicated to Dante Alighieri, the Florentinian poet who was sent into exile and died and is buried in Ravenna (despite some attempts to bring his body back to Florence). 

Most visitors come to see the numerous funeral monuments, but some important works of art can also be found in the basilica's sixteen chapels and in the refectory. Perhaps one of the most famous pieces is Cimabue's Crucifix, which was badly damaged during the 1966 flood that hit the city of Florence, but is still on display in the refectory. The basilica's cloisters are also open to the public.