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Basilica di Santa Croce: Michelangelo's Resting Place
4.9
107 Ratings
Firenze
Explore the Basilica di Santa Croce, the main Franciscan church in Florence. Delve into the rich history of Florence and uncover the life of Michelangelo. Visit the final resting places of notable figures such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, Rossini, and others.
Explore the Basilica di Santa Croce, the main Franciscan church in Florence. Delve into the rich history of Florence and uncover the life of Michelangelo. Visit the final resting places of notable figures such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, Rossini, and others.
Duration:
1 hour
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Basilica of Santa Croce - Begin the tour in the main square, known for hosting the Calcio Storico Florentino, a famous soccer game played in medieval costumes every June. The guide will provide detailed insights into the vast artistic treasures of Santa Croce; Gaddi’s frescoes (1380) in the Cappella Maggiore narrate the story of “Santa Croce,”…
- Basilica of Santa Croce - Begin the tour in the main square, known for hosting the Calcio Storico Florentino, a famous soccer game played in medieval costumes every June. The guide will provide detailed insights into the vast artistic treasures of Santa Croce; Gaddi’s frescoes (1380) in the Cappella Maggiore narrate the story of “Santa Croce,” while Giotto’s stunning frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels depict scenes from the lives of St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist.
To the left of the entrance, discover the memorial of the 19th-century playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini, which served as inspiration for the Statue of Liberty. As you explore the sacred walls, learn about Donatello’s art and his crucifix, a Renaissance masterpiece, along with Brunelleschi’s work and the architectural perfection of his Chapel of Fools.
- Basilica of Santa Croce - Visit the monumental cemetery and view the restored paintings that were damaged in the devastating flood of 1966. After exploring the interior, gain insights into the exterior, adorned with a polychrome marble façade. Finally, the guide will lead you around the Bell Tower, Crypt, and the 16 chapels. The tour lasts about an hour, and you will have the chance to revisit any areas of interest after the tour concludes.
What's Included
- Official Certified guide
- Entrance tickets with reservations
- Radio system to hear the guide
- Official Certified guide
- Entrance tickets with reservations
- Radio system to hear the guide
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Please note that the tour requires…
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Please note that the tour requires a minimum number of two guests to run.
- Please note that if you arrive after the tour start time you will not be able to join and will not be refunded or have your tour rescheduled.
- There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- A refusal of entry due to inappropriate dress code, the tour will not be rescheduled or refunded.
Location
Monument to Dante Alighieri
Piazza di Santa Croce
Please be present next to the Statue of Dante Alighieri (Piazza della Santa Croce, 1 Firenze), 15 minutes before departure time in order to avoid any delays.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(107 Ratings)
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Elizabeth_t
Jan 22, 2026
Always helpful to have a guide. - Good tour. Interesting information. Always helpful to have a guide. Otherwise , you really miss everything.
Review provided by Viator
Jacqueline_m
Jan 20, 2026
Beautiful Basilica - Walking Among the Masters at Santa Croce was a memorable experience of our time in Florence. From the moment we stepped into the basilica, it felt like walking through Italian history. Seeing the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini in one place was incredible, and our guide added to the context.
We learned about the impact of the 1966 Florence flood and the restoration efforts. We also enjoyed seeing Donatello’s crucifix. So much to see and our photos don’t give it justice.
Review provided by Viator
Kristin_j
Nov 20, 2025
Art and religious history - Wow, our tour guide was spectacularly knowledgeable in all things Florence! At the end of our one hour tour, it was as though we had been in an art religious history class. The basilica was beautiful, and we were very appreciative to our guide for all her knowledge and expertise.
Review provided by Viator
650mariegabriellec
Oct 13, 2025
I recommend this site (compared to another well-known one) for guided tours. - Claudia, my guide, replaced her colleague (sick) at the foot. Very friendly, she explained to me with passion all the history this sublime Basilica. So sharp about dates and anecdotes in perfect French, I had the impression that she had lived during the time of buried protagonists. By far the most beautiful visit I've made.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marie-gabriellec
Oct 10, 2025
Visit to do absolutely - A very interesting charming guide with a lot of knowledge. The best visit I made during my stay.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jordanj423
Oct 9, 2025
Genuinely passionate tour guide - Absolutely wonderful tour guide. She had a passion for history and provided us with some of the lesser known but more interesting details. Highly recommend if you want to appreciate Santa Croce from a historical perspective. Our guide took her time to engage us in the tour instead of trying to hurry us along to make it to her next one. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniel_h
Oct 6, 2025
Beautiful artwork and we... - Beautiful artwork and we loved walking amongst the greats of Florence. Our guide explained everything well and was friendly.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_n
Oct 3, 2025
Basilica di Santa Croce is a Wonderful Experience - The Basilica di Santa Croce is a wonderful church which should be included in your Florence trip. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained the significance of the artwork around the church and grounds. The church and beautiful artwork are spectacular....the history of the church is amazing.....and it is the church where Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are all buried. Highly recommend taking this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Laura_s
Sep 20, 2025
This church is a hidden gem! - From the outside, I never thought this church would be a HUGE as it is! It just goes on and on! Learning the history was just fascinating!!
Review provided by Viator
Jasonh3391
Sep 18, 2025
Simply sublime Santa Croce - I was fortunate enough to be the only one taking the tour so it was very personal. The guide told me about the history of the basilica, its architecture, and spoke about the tombs and epitaphs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, Rossini and others as well as the artistry of Donatello and Cimabue.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
