Basilica di Santa Croce aka: Church of Santa Croce

I just got finished reading “Galileo’s Daughter” by Dava Sobel. Galileo and his daughter are buried there, so the book talked about Santa Croce in some detail and made me want to visit. I was in Florence in Summer, 2005, but only for 2 days. I walked by and took pictures of Santa Croce, but did not get the chance to go inside. So this is the third Florence destination on my list. Obviously I need to return to Florence one day!

The main reason that we came to visit Santa Croce was because it featured in “A Room With A View”.

as the final resting place of some pretty notable historical figures, like Michealangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, Santa Croce ranked high on my list of places to see. I was also amused to see the tomb intended for Dante, whom Florence exiled,and whose body still lies in the city that took him in, Ravenna.

to anyone who has read “a room with a view” this place is a must-go! go through the church and back where you will find the scuolo del cuoio of firenze. my wallet is going on 6 years but i made a promise to myself that i will only replace it when i return!

In July, 2006, I was able to go on a tour of the restoration of the fresco’s inside (this entailed scaling the scaffolding and climbing about four stories in the Maggiore Chapel of the Church). After having just completed a workshop on fresco restoration and how to make them, this was an even more incredible experience for me. Seeing the detail of the work done from the perspective of the fresco artisans was an opportunity rarely experienced. To be “up close and personal” with the fresco’s, and their beauty and artistry is something I will never forget! Grazie Alma for the experience!