Santa Croce in Florence: Everything you need to know

Monumental and simple at the same time, the interior of the Basilica is characterised by three naves separated from each other by rows of pillars with an octagon base.

One of the characteristics of Santa Croce is its transept, which is quite extensive. It is 73.74 wide and divides the church at the apse.

The central nave is impressive, measuring 115.43 x 38.23 metres.

Echoes of the early Christian Roman basilicas can also be recognised inside. We find all this in the thin walls which are supported by pointed arches.

The church has not the classic three chapels at the head of the cross, but eleven chapels.

Five of these are at the ends of the transept and were designed to accommodate the remains of the donors.

Among the most important elements in the interior, we find:

• Cappella Maggiore: it is built in pure Gothic style and boasts several frescoes executed by Agnolo Gaddi, a painted cross by the Master of Figline, the polyptych of the main altar characterised by a Madonna by Niccolò Gerini and the work “I Dottori della Chiesa” (The Doctors of the Church) by Giovanni del Biondo;
• Chapels on the right: particularly remarkable are the Peruzzi Chapel and the Bardi Chapel. These were decorated by Giotto between 1320 and 1325. Among the most important paintings, we mention “The Stories of Saint John the Baptist” and “The Stories of Saint John the Evangelist”. Also of particular interest is the stained glass window by Jacopo del Casentino, which characterises the Peruzzi Chapel. Don’t miss the Riccardi Chapel, with frescoes by Giovanni da San Giovanni and paintings by Matteo Rosselli, Giovanni Bilivert and Domenico Passignano; the Velluti Chapel, with its polyptych by Giovanni del Biondo; the Baroncelli Chapel, with frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi and Sebastiano Mainardi; the Castellani Chapel, with frescoes by Agnolo Gaddi, the tabernacle by Mino da Fiesole and the painted cross by Niccolò Gerini;
• Chapels on the left: here we find the Spinelli Chapel, with decorations by Gasparo Martellini; the Capponi Chapel, with statues by Libero Andreotti; Ricasoli Chapel, with frescoes by Luigi Sabatelli; Pulci-Berardi Chapel, with frescoes by Bernardo Daddi and a polychrome terracotta by Giovanni della Robbia; Bardi di Vernio Chapel, with frescoes by Maso di Banco. Also remarkable are the triptych by Giovanni del Biondo on the altar, the Bardi di Vernio Chapel, with the Crucifix by Donatello, the Niccolini Chapel, with a dome frescoed by Volterrano and statues by Pietro Francavilla, the Cappella Machiavelli-Salviati, with an altarpiece by altar by Jacopo Ligozzi;
• Medici Chapel: built by Michelozzo around 1445, it boasts the fresco “Madonna and Child with Saints” by Fra Bartolomeo, the altarpiece of the “Deposition” by Alessandro Allori, floor with marble slabs, monument to Lorenzo Bartolini, glazed terracotta by Andrea della Robbia, stained glass window designed by Alessio Baldovinetti, the “Dispute on the Immaculate Conception” by Carlo Portelli;
• Sacristy: particularly large, it is characterised by wooden wardrobes dating back to the fifteenth century, an ancient corner bench, scenes from the life of Christ painted by Niccolò Gerini, Taddeo Gaddi and Spinello Aretino. Also particularly important are the marble sink by Pagno Portigiani, the bust depicting the Redeemer by Giovanni della Robbia, the frescoes by Giovanni da Milano, the polyptych on the altar by Giovanni del Biondo.