SANTA CROCE, Exterior

If you're wondering why this Franciscan basilica is called Santa Croce, or Holy Cross, you should know that it gets its name and originated from a fragment of the Holy Cross that was given to the Franciscan Order by King Louis IX of France in the mid-1200s. Before entering the basilica, I suggest walking around its exterior, especially to admire its majestic sides and beautiful Gothic windows. I'll summarize its history for you while you walk.

The present, grandiose basilica began construction at the end of the 13th century, probably based on the design of Arnolfo di Cambio, the great protagonist of Gothic architecture in Florence.

The Franciscans wanted a simple building that could contain a great number of people. Its structure is full of light and lightweight. To divulge the truths of the faith and the saints' examples in the most frank and persuasive way, the architect relied on painting and involved all the leading 14th-century Florentine artists. Just think, two-thirds of the basilica's interior is covered by fresco cycles: it's a real "Bible for the Poor", as the scenes of biblical episodes and of Jesus' life were defined in the Middle Ages because they could also be understood by the many faithful illiterates of those times....