Suggested itineraries
Santa Croce, heart of Florence
Florence's Basilica of Santa Croce, located in the homonymous piazza, is among the world's largest Franciscan churches and one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. The design of the Basilica is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, who supervised the building work which initiated in 1294. Although the construction of the edifice was completed some 90 years later, the consecration of the church did not occur until 1444. In 1966,...
San Giovanni and the magic of Florence
It is at the Duomo or Cathedral, with its detached Campanile, adjacent Baptistery and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo that this tour begins. Reborn after the Dark Ages, Florence became a centre of art and culture, political and economic power, reaching the height of its glory under the Medicis. As the prowess of the city grew the ruling priorate decided that the existing cathedral should be replaced by one which would rival those of Siena and Pisa....
