The Basilica di Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in the world (Basilica of the Holy Cross), is the principal Franciscan church in Florence and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 metres south east of the Duomo

Legend says that Santa Croce was founded by St Francis himself. The construction of the current church, to replace an older building, was begun on 12 May 1294, possibly by Arnolfo di Cambio, and paid for by some of the city's wealthiest families

A Jewish architect Niccolo Matas from Ancona, designed the church's 19th century neo-Gothic facade, working a prominent Star of David into the composition. Matas had wanted to be buried with his peers but because he was Jewish, he was buried under the porch and not within the walls.

On the left of the facade, in front of the basilica, there is a statue of Dante, the great poet. It was first unveiled in 1864, which was the fifth centenary of the poet’s death, but it was standing in the center of the square. It was moved in front of the church after the floods in 1966.

Santa Croce was consecrated in 1442 by Pope Eugene IV. The building's design reflects the austere approach of the Franciscans.In the nineteenth century the facade and the campanile were built (the neo-Gothic facade only dates from 1857-1863 and the campanile was built in 1842) and the monument to Dante Alighieri was set up in the square.

The Basilica di Santa Croce is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Gentile and Rossini, thus it is known also as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie).

In 1439 the Council of Florence, which attempted to heal the schism between Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, was held at Santa Croce.

The neo-Gothic facade only dates from 1857-1863 and the campanile was built in 1842

To the south of the church was a convent, some of whose buildings remain.

Chiostro grande, Il Dio padre Baccio Bandinelli

In the Primo Chiostro, the main cloister, there is the Cappella dei Pazzi, built as the chapter house, completed in the 1470s.

Filippo Brunelleschi (who had designed and executed the dome of the Duomo) was involved in its design which has remained rigorously simple and unadorned.

In 1966, the Arno River flooded much of Florence, including Santa Croce. The water entered the church bringing mud, pollution and heating oil.

The damage to buildings and art treasures was severe, taking several decades to repair.

Santa Croce, portico laterale su via San Giuseppe

Piazza Santa Croce is known as the birthplace of "Calcio Fiorentino", an early form of football that is still played every year in June on the piazza.

Text: InternetPictures: Daniela IacobArangement: Sanda Foişoreanu

Sound: Gioachino Rossini ~ Messa Di Gloria Gioachino Rossini ~ Domine Deus