Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

The burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, Basilica of Santa Croce holds the tombs of such luminaries as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini. The city's principal and the world's largest Franciscan church, the building was completed in 1385. The site's most notable features are its 16 chapels, many decorated with frescoes painted by Giotto and his pupils. The building's design reflects the austere approach favored by the Franciscans, with the floor plan following the figure of the Tau cross (the shape of the letter T), which was the symbol of St. Francis. The church's main cloister houses a simple, unadorned chapel designed by architect Filippo Brunelleschi. Choose from several guided tour options; advance reservations are required. General admission tickets can be purchased at the onsite ticket office, by phone, or online. Basilica of Santa Croce is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , world travel planner Edition.