Santa Croce and Guided Walking Tour in Florence

2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: German and 4 more

Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) church in Florence, also known as the "Temple of the Italian Glories" as it is being the burial place of some famous Italians like Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and etc.

Explore the immense artistic wealth in Santa Croce with the interior, the exterior which is covered with a polychrome marble façade, the Bell Tower, Crypt and the 16 Chapels. Later in the afternoon embark on a walking tour to view the most famous attractions and squares of the Florence city.

Tour Highlights
• Temple of the Italian Glories ( Tempio dell'Itale Glorie)
• Burial place of several Florentine and Italian masters such as
Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo Galilee, Rossini and more
• Find frescos by Giotto and a chapel designed by Brunelleschi
• Walk over the famous Old Bridge
• Learn from a professional guide who will show you the city's hidden treasures

What's Included

Entrance Ticket with reservation to the Santa Croce
Guided city walking tour
Radio system to hear the guide
Officially Certified Guide
Food and drinks
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Transportation to/from attractions
Entrance tickets to the attractions of the walking tour

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1

    Start the tour in the main square, where the famous soccer game played in medieval costumes, the Calcio Storico Florentino takes place every year in June. Your guide will describe in detail all the immense artistic wealth in Santa Croce; frescoes (1380) by Gaddi in the Cappella Maggiore tell the story of "Santa Croce", and beautiful frescoes by Giotto in the Bardi and Peruzzi Chapels show scenes from the life of St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist. On your way to the left of the entrance, see the memorial of the 19th-century playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini built as an inspiration for the Statue of Liberty. As you walk through the hallowed walls, learn about the art of Donatello and his crucifix, one of the jewels of the Renaissance, as well as the art of Brunelleschi and the perfect architectural harmony of his Chapel of Fools.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 2

    See the monumental cemetery and damaged paintings and that was destroyed in the tragic flood of 1966 and have been subsequently restored. After visiting the interior, learn about the exterior which is covered with a polychrome marble façade. Finally, the guide will tour you around the Bell Tower, Crypt and the 16 chapels. The tour takes about an hour, and you will have the opportunity to return to anything you might want to see again after the tour ends.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3

    From the point of the meeting, the guide will give you an insight into the history of this Renaissance city and how this incredible cultural movement of the Renaissance transformed not only Florence but eventually the rest of Europe. The guide will start off with Piazza Della Republica, the main square of Florence that marks the center of the City. After a little talk of history & the changes of Piazza Republica since its origin, you will walk straight to the marvelous piece of art, the Piazza Della Duomo. A showstopper of Filippo Brunelleschi, Giotto, Arnolfo & Francesco Talenti.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Piazza del Duomo

    Walk passing the Duomo Square the guide will lead you straight through the old buildings and some of the historical landmarks of Florence to Palazzo Vecchio, where David’s’ sculpture (the original is in the Galleria dell'Accademia) by Michelangelo is placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio as a symbol of the Republic's defiance of the tyrannical Medici.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5

    Afterward, as you walk past the Palazzo Vecchio, the guide will explain to you about the Uffizi Gallery, one of the greatest museums of the world, and then you will reach the most famous old bridge in Florence known as “Ponte Vecchio”.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Palazzo Pitti

    Your next stop is Palazzo Pitti, the enormous palace of Florence's largest architectural monuments of Filippo Brunelleschi and the household of the Pitti Family, later of the Medicis’. The tour takes about two hours, enough time to help you understand the uniqueness and beauty of Florence city.

    15 minutes Admission ticket not included

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
  • 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
Supplied by Star Florence

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Tags

Architecture Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Zombie
Zombie Slice
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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