Santa Croce is a deeply symbolic place that belongs to the identity heritage of the city, everyone must be given the opportunity to get to know it. This is why the Opera di Santa Croce and the CR Firenze Foundation have chosen, together, to launch the Discover Santa Croce project, designed specifically to share stories and secrets with the local community and with all those closest to the monumental complex. of a heritage that has attracted visitors from all over the world for centuries.
“Discover Santa Croce was born from the will of the Opera to make known and share with the Florentines, who are the closest visitors, all the wealth represented by the spiritual, artistic and historical heritage of Santa Croce – highlights Cristina Acidini – monumental complex has a profound identity value for the local community and this project aims to further strengthen the bond with the city and with the territory in a difficult historical moment, in which the rediscovery of the values of beauty and spirituality kept in Santa Croce can be of support. for everyone. We therefore express sincere gratitude to the CR Firenze Foundation – he concludes – which once again, with great attention and sensitivity, has chosen to support us in the realization of a new project “.
“Santa Croce is one of the symbolic places of Florence – says Gabriele Gori, Director General of the CR Firenze Foundation – a heritage that belongs to the city and that has profoundly marked its soul. The CR Firenze Foundation has in its Statute the enhancement of the identity of communities and the territory, for which it supports projects that contribute to the dissemination and mediation of Florentine cultural sites that are world-class excellence. It is a great responsibility for us to support the great cultural institutions of the city so that future generations can know an important piece of their history so that as adults they in turn become attentive guardians. The ‘Discover Santa Croce’ project intends to promote the rediscovery of the monumental complex by the Florentines who, as often happens, are addicted to the beauty that surrounds them. We hope it will be an opportunity especially for families and children to get to know an important piece of our history ”.
The monumental complex as its protagonist is an infinite story and will be narrated through this special project which includes 52 free guided tours, carried out mostly on weekends and holidays, scheduled from 1 November 2022 to spring 2023. The visits – as explained by Donata Grossoni, head of the enhancement service of the Opera – will be dedicated alternately to a variety of themes and paths to deepen the many and different aspects that make up, as in a puzzle, the rich identity of Santa Croce, basilica Franciscan, a place of spirituality and art, a temple dedicated to those who made Italy great.
The project, developed by the Opera staff, is completed with some activities dedicated to families and children such as the Treasure Hunt, Draw your name, which starts from the coats of arms of the great families, and Invent a monument, which recalls the memorials dedicated to great personalities.
Discover Santa Croce is an integral part of the new strategy of enhancement, reception and management of the monumental complex: the Opera aims to highlight the unity and uniqueness of the monumental complex and aims at overcoming forms of use characteristic of fast tourism, that “hit and run” that limits the superficial encounter with places. For this reason the Opera, under the guidance of the Secretary General Stefano Filipponi, has created a specific working group committed to developing synergies between the aspects of research and conservation and those of communication and dissemination.
Visits to Santa Croce
Each visit will therefore be a unique experience, an opportunity to go for the first time or to return to Santa Croce. The program for November, December and January features 16 different themes and includes 26 visits. From tomorrow, 28 October, it will be available for reservations on the website www.santacroceopera.it.
52 free guided tours, carried out mostly on weekends and holidays, scheduled from 1 November 2022 to spring 2023. The visits – as explained by Donata Grossoni, head of the Opera’s enhancement service – will alternatively be dedicated to a variety of themes and paths to deepen the many and different aspects that make up, as in a puzzle, the rich identity of Santa Croce, a Franciscan basilica, a place of spirituality and art, a temple dedicated to those who made Italy great.
- Saints and devotees in Santa Croce: 1st November, 30th December, 7th January
- Santa Croce and the Arno: 4 November
- At dawn in Santa Croce: 5 and 12 November
- The power of images: the message of Francis: 13 November
- The Great in Santa Croce: November 19, December 9, January 3
- Santa Croce in Rosa: 20 November
- Bronzino and his Time: 23 November
- Customs and traditions, a dip in our past: November 26th
- Wealth and Poverty, Bankers and Saints: November 27th
- From Advent to the Magi, Christmas in Santa Croce: 3 and 18 December, 6 January
- Great masterpieces, great patrons: 4th December, 2nd and 5th January
- The Virgin in Art: 8 December
- Fantastic animals and creatures in Santa Croce: 10 December, 4 January
- Donatello, in search of Man: 17 December
- Stories of travels and travelers in Santa Croce: December 28th
- Science and scientists in Santa Croce: 29 December.
Discover Santa Croce for the Florentines: free visits and activities for families