The Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica of Santa Croce (Italian: Basilica di Santa Croce) was the principal Franciscan church in Florence.
History
Conception and Papal conflict
The largest Franciscan church in the world, the Basilica of Santa Croce contains frescos by Giotto and a chapel in the cloister designed by Filippo Brunelleschi that is considered one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture.
In 1322 the Pope declared that the Franciscans' vow of poverty was illegal, that Christ had, in fact, owned property and wanted his followers to own property. This meant, of course, that the Franciscans were forced to collect money and land which would in turn go to the Pope.
15th century
In 1476, the Assassin Ezio Auditore assassinated Uberto Alberti during an unveiling of Andrea del Verrocchio's most recent works.
Trivia
- A glyph can be found on the basilica.
- The church was the final resting place of Niccolò Machiavelli, after his death in 1527.