Basilica of Santa Croce
Not far from the Duomo in central Florence is the largest Franciscan church in the world: the basilica of Santa Croce. Nobody knows when it was originally founded (although legend has it by St Francis himself) but this particular incarnation was rebuilt in 1294 and then closed for restoration from 1966-1975 after the Arno River flooded the premises and ruined most of the frescoes and paintings and floorwork.
One (technically three) exceptionally cool sights in this church are the tombs of the poet Dante, the painter Michelangelo, and Gallileo.
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- Facade of Santa Croce
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- Michelangelo’s tomb
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- Dante’s tomb
Gorgeous pics!!! Sounds like you had a great week – yay! Your apartment looks fab and your roommate seems like a gem. Good times!
Thanks, D!!! xoxoxo
The pics are beautiful and OMG, the apartment must be huge. How nice the woman sounds. Fingers crossed everywhere you go is just like this. I’m thinking you may be missing this place once you head out though.
Love seeing the pictures. I studied for a semester in Florence in college and absolutely loved it. Can’t remember exactly where, but lived in a pensione over a Gucci store. I think it was across from the Strozzi palace (a very gray looking stone building) and it seems we walked down the street to the Ponte Vecchio (not sure any of this is spelled correctly since it’s been soooo long). Don’t miss the tiny science museum (The Museum of History of Science) in town tucked away down near the river. Yep, it flooded in 1966, too. It has all the original science (physics) equipment Lorenzo de Medici used and Galileo’s instruments. Also the Laurentian library is worth a stop on the way to the David (now there’s a body!). I’m so jealous and know you must be loving it. Keep sending those pictures.
Sandy
V: My (flatmate? landlady?) is an absolute riot. I got sooo lucky with her!
S: Oooh, how fun to be here for an entire semester! I will definitely have to check out the science museum and the library. Great tips!