subject: Santa Croce II - Florence [print this page] Santa Croce II - Florence Santa Croce II - Florence
When You book a guided tour in Florence, with us You'll realize how beautiful and magic this town is.
The basilica is raised above ground of eight steps. Originally the facade was incomplete, as in many churches of Florence. The wall made of "pietraforte" resembled what still can be seen in San Lorenzo, although different in shape and proportions. In the fifteenth century, the family Quaratesi had alreadycome forward to finance the construction of relying that to Simone del Pollaiuolo told "The Chronicle". The condition was, however, that the arms of
Quaratesi family appeared in sight at the center of the main front, but the Franciscans discouraged from accepting the proposal, and the rich family decided to devote himself to the embellishment of another Franciscan church, San Salvatore al Monte.
The aspect of old unfinished facade there is testified by prints, paintings and old photographs: In addition to the emblem of Christ above the canopy (place in 1437 during a major plague) in a niche at the center of the simple central portal, as the only decoration, there was the gilded bronze statue of SaintLouis of Toulouse Donatello, already in a niche Orsanmichele, now you can see in the refectory of the convent. The modern facade was built between 1853 and1863, by architect Nicholas Matas, who was inspired by the great Gothic cathedrals such as the cathedral of Siena and Orvieto Cathedral, reviewed in light
of his time taking a lead in particular by ' by Emilio De Fabris for the facade of Santa Maria del Fiore. The end result was harshly criticized, and it is still controversial for its artificial neo-Gothic style.
Among the artworks appearing on front, stand the three lunettes portals, recalling the legend of the True Cross, which the church is dedicated: from left are the Finding of the Cross by Tito Sarrocchi , the Triumph of the Cross by Giovanni Dupre and the Vision of Constantine byEmilio Zocchi.The central portal has bronze doors that were at the cathedral until 1903. Before the portal is the burial of Matas.
Book one of our guided Tour inFlorence, and You'll enjoy the unique atmosphere of this beautiful town
