Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence

Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Its construction began in 1294 and it was consecrated in 1442. Like Westminster Abbey, it houses the tombs of the rich and famous. Incidentally, the prominent Star of David in the facade was the work of the 19th century Jewish architect, Niccolo Matas of Ancona. He is buried under the porch, outside the walls of the church. I couldn’t get a clear shot of the facade because bleachers had been erected in the large square in front of the church. Photograph is permitted in the church, without flash or tripod.

View of the nave, looking towards the main altar.

Nave, looking towards the door:

Machiavelli’s tomb, by Innocenzo Spinazzi:

Michelangelo’s tomb, by Giorgio Vasari:

Dante’s tomb:

Galileo’s tomb:

Frescoes by Giotto:

Giotto altar (1327), commissioned for the Baroncelli family:

In 1966, the Arno River flooded the area, causing considerable damage to the church and its artwork.

Michelangelo’s David in Florence

This is it — the real David in the Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts) in Florence. No, you’re not supposed to photograph it. But I hid in a bunch of photo-snapping tourists until the guard stopped us. Safety in numbers…

Two things I hadn’t expected were the size of the statue — it’s 16 feet tall — and the amazing detail. You really can see the sinews and muscles. It’s hard to believe that Michelangelo achieved such detail with stone.

Dolled-up David in the courtyard:

Giambologna‘s gesso for his sculpture, “Rape of the Sabine Women” (1574-82). The sculpture itself is in the Loggia dei Lanzi, near the Uffizi gallery.

One of Michelangelo’s four unfinished Prisoners, intended for Pope Julius’s tomb. I’m fairly certain it’s the Atlas slave.

“Coronation of the Virgin,” by Giovanni di Marco detto Giovanni dal Ponte (Florence 1385-1437):