Location: Santa Croce
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What to do and see in Santa Croce, Tuscany: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Florence is an art historian’s dream. The Galleria dell'Accademia bursts with works by Michelangelo, who is entombed within the frescoed walls of the Basilica di Santa Croce. Budding photographers can snap pics of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and serious shoppers can spend a blissful afternoon wandering the shops of Piazza Santo Spirito. Tuscan cuisine pays homage to the region’s bounty. Swipe a hunk of crusty bread across a pool of local olive oil and you’ll be instantly transported to your happiest place.
Restaurants in Florence
1. Parola School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Parola is an Italian language school in Florence. Parola Italian language school holds a nice variety of language courses in the historic center of Florence, a few step from the Church of Santa Croce. The school offers group Italian language courses, classes that are a combination of grammar and conversation in the afternoon (combined courses) and individual Italian language courses in the afternoon and in the evening. Parola also offers courses of Italian for Au Pairs and the school is authorized by the University of Siena to be an Official Center for the CILS exam.
Reviewed By B107ZRjoand
My husband and I have been studying Italian for two years in the United States. This year, we decided to spent two months in Italy to experience a fuller/comprehensive immersion into the Italian culture and language. We spent three weeks in Florence. After researching/ evaluating a few language schools, we decided to enroll in the Parola School. The administrative staff (Gianluca and Simone) were both incredibly friendly and informative. They made us feel so comfortable and welcomed... as one knows, learning a new language can be very intimidating. We ended up enrolling for two weeks, taking two 2-hr sessions. The first session of grammar was with Annarita, and the second session of conversation was with Silvia. I cannot compliment nor thank these two instructors enough. They were excellent - their teaching style, their knowledge, general demeanor and personality (friendly, funny, kind, patient). Our class was international - students of all ages and from various countries (Japan, US, Chili, Spain, Australia, and England). Both instructors were skilled at bringing the students together; creating this special camaraderie among perfect strangers. We learned so much from both instructors as well as other students, and we had a blast. I would strongly recommend taking courses at this school. Andy and I will return sometime in the future. We are thinking next year for one month.... can't wait !!! Thank you Silvia, Annarita, Gianluca and Simone … it was a true pleasure and soooo much fun. Giovanna ed Andrea from Sacramento, California...
2. Basilica of Santa Croce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,994 reviews
This is the richest medieval church in Florence, which features frescoes by Giotto, a chapel by Brunelleschi and one of the finest of all early Renaissance tombs.
Reviewed By revlisad - Sarasota, United States
Don't miss seeing the Duomo from the outside. But the one you want to tour inside is Santa Croce. It's a must see for multiple reasons 1. The grandeur of the architecture. It's the largest Franciscan church in the world. The main sanctuary is stunning as are the 16 chapels and courtyards. 2. Don't miss the tombs, both those on the floor of the main sanctuary, the sides of the main sanctuary, and the crypt. Many famous Italians are buried or memorialized here, including, Dante, Galileo, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, Rossini, Marconi 3. The art, including frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, incredible icons (my favorite is the Francis of Assisi Icon to the right of the main altar), and statues. Speaking of the main altar, take a few moments in the presence of the crucifix icon, altar icons, stained glass, and painted dome. Stunning. Be sure to find the Last Supper and Tree of Life fresco in one of the additional chapels on property. 4. Set in a delightful piazza with great restaurants, shops, and vendors. Neither the church nor the piazza were crowded when we visited. 5. Great restrooms and quaint gift shop
3. Piazza Santa Croce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,119 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Piazza Santa Croce gets its name from the basilica of the same name, one of the biggest Franciscan churches in Italy, famous not only for housing frescoes by Giotto, the sculptures of Benedetto da Maiano, Desiderio da Settignano and Canova, but also for being the burial place of well-known people such as Galilei, Foscolo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli, becoming a symbol of the homeland even before Italy was unified. Basilica of Santa Croce is magnificent, beautiful and dominant to us. In front of Basilica is a beautiful statue of Dante Alighieri by Enrico Pazzi, sculpted in 1865 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Dante's birth. Still in my mind is a magnificent recitation of Dante's Divine Comedy performed by the inimitable Roberto Benigni from this place. The square is rich in beautiful palaces which are characterized by protruding planes supported by supports called sports on the southern side. One that stands out is the Palazzo Cocchi-Serristori, facing the basilica and the product of various reworks over the years, thought to be the work of Giuliano da Sandallo, the trusted architect of Lorenzo the Magnificent. On the south side of the piazza stands the Palazzo dell'Antella, with a lively façade embellished with several paintings, depicting allegorical figures, cherubs, foliage, flowers and arabesques, which are set around a bust of Cosimo II de 'Medici. Particularly interesting, on the fourth tile from the left, is a copy of the sleeping Amorino by Caravaggio. Given its large size and standard shape, the piazza became the perfect place to hold popular competitions during the Renaissance, such as the Florentine Calcio Storico which is still played here today.
4. Cappella Pazzi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 91 reviews
The chapel, designed by the architect Filippo Brunelleschi and completed in 1461, was one of the first buildings designed in the Renaissance style.
Reviewed By 972halg - Gilbert, United States
This is Brunelleschi ‘s masterpiece that ushered in Renaissance architecture. Next door is Santa Croce whose gothic interior is a great contrast to the simpler and cleaner lines of Brunelleschi ‘s Pazzi Chapel. Santa Croce is the Florentine Pantheon and you will see tombs of Michelangelo, Fermi and many others
5. Le Murate Progetti Arte Contemporanea
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
The Murate complex, a place rich of history, today the beating heart of the contemporary city, was originally founded as a complex to host the nuns who lived on the Rubaconte Bridge, the current Ponte alle Grazie. The architectural complex was known as the Monastery of the Santissima Annunziata delle Murate. Suppressed by the French government in 1808 it first became a military barracks for the Austro-Hungarian troops in 1815, then in 1832 with the closure of the nearby Stinche prison, a male prison institute. The architectural complex went through further modifications, remaining a men's penitentiary institute until 1883. In the 1990s, the City of Florence began a project of urban redevelopment under the guidance of architect Renzo Piano, making the complex a center of social housing and a driving force for contemporary arts in the city dedicated to young people.
6. Monumento a Dante Alighieri
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By silverbrook - London, Canada
The facial expression on the statue of Dante, located in the Piazza Santa Croce beside the basilica of Santa Croce, is quite thought-provoking. The statue was created in 1865 by Enrico Pazziand depicts the exhiled Dante Alighieri. It is located outside the basilica since Dante was not buried within the walls of the church. Do take the time to have a look at this fantastic statue if you happen to stroll through the square.
7. Palazzo dell'Antella
8. Palazzo e Torre degli Alberti
9. Torre della Zecca
10. Fontana di Piazza Santa Croce
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By SheltieOwner - London, Canada
This is one of the main plazas in Florence. If you are visiting on a busy day, prepare to spend a couple of hours walking around. Visit the Basilica, or just sit on the stairs and people watch. Lots of food options, little shops, architecture - plenty to keep you busy for awhile.
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