Santa Croce
A lively leather-working and nightlife quarter around the basilica
The quarter around the great Franciscan basilica is lively and studenty, with leather workshops, trattorias, bars and one of the city's finest piazzas.
Around the basilica
The Santa Croce quarter east of the centre gathers around the mighty Franciscan basilica of the same name, the "temple of Italian glories", with the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. The wide Piazza Santa Croce in front of it is one of the finest squares in the city and hosts events such as the historic Calcio Storico football match.
Leather, food and nightlife
Santa Croce has traditionally been Florence's leather-working quarter, around the basilica and in the friars' leather school, bags and jackets are still made here today. It's also one of the liveliest nightlife quarters: trattorias, wine bars, gelaterias and the excellent Bargello Museum sit close together, and evenings are busy.
Close to the centre and full of life
Santa Croce borders directly onto the Centro Storico and is only a few minutes' walk away, a good choice for anyone who wants a central base with plenty of life around them in the evening.
Around Santa Croce
Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Florence's hall of fame holds the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.
Museo Nazionale del Bargello
Florence's oldest public building holds the world's finest collection of Renaissance sculpture, including Donatello's bronze David and works by Michelangelo.