The Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the principal Franciscan church in Florence, Italy, 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. It is the burial place of some of Italy's most famous figures, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Foscolo, Gentile and Rossini, and is thus known as the Temple of the Italian Glories. Although construction of the church was begun in 1294 and substantially completed in the late 15th century, the neo-Gothic marble facade was added during the 19th century by a Jewish architect, Niccolo Matas. Although Matas had wanted to be buried with the other illustrious figures in the church, because he was Jewish, he was buried under the porch and not within the walls.
Florence, Italy
The Duomo di Firenze, the Cathedral of Florence, was built between 1296 and 1436. The cathedral is one of the largest in the world. Its imposing dome, attributed to the Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi, still dominates the city.
