Private Guided Visit Florence's Santa Croce Basilica and Ancient Leather School
At a glance
Private Guided Visit Florence's Santa Croce Basilica and Ancient Leather School is a 1h 30m private experience in Florence, Italy, operated by CAF Tour and Travel - Gray Line Florence. Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 19 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $132.85 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Earphones for groups of more than 7 participants, Local professional Guide at your side.
Highlights
- Private experience — just you and your group
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
Quick facts
- Duration
- 1h 30m
- Group
- Private tour — only your group
- Languages
- German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
Visit the Santa Croce Basilica in Florence, a stunning Gothic architectural masterpiece known for its colorful marble façade. Once a sanctuary for Franciscan friars, the basilica houses remarkable frescoes by Giotto and Agnolo Gaddi, along with notable works by Donatello and the tombs of renowned figures like Michelangelo and Galileo.
Explore the Brunelleschi Cloister and the Pazzi Chapel, an example of Renaissance perfection. Afterward, visit a historic workshop where artisans uphold a 13th-century leather craftsmanship tradition, producing authentic Florentine leather goods. This experience combines art, history, and exceptional craftsmanship, making it a must-visit in Florence.
What's included
What's included
- Earphones for groups of more than 7 participants
- Local professional Guide at your side
Not included
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Everything not mentioned as Included
- Gratuities
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 1h
Santa Croce Basilica is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a façade clad in polychrome marble. This is the ancient church in which the Franciscan friars chose to set up and begin treating pelts and leather and meditate in peace in a place that was, at that time, located outside the city walls. We will admire, from close up, the beautiful frescoes by Giotto and Agnolo Gaddi, the “Crucifix” and “Annunciation” by Donatello and the world-famous funerary monuments and tombs of illustrious figures from the past such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli. Next, we will enter the elegant “Brunelleschi Cloister” bordered by columns carved from pure stone, and then pass into the fourteenth-century “Ancient Cloister” at the end of which lies the beautiful “Pazzi Chapel”, a sublime example of Renaissance harmony, also the work of Brunelleschi.
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Stop 2 · 30m
After visiting the Basilica and cloisters, there will be a chance to visit a workshop that goes back to the 13th century, when the Franciscan monks first settled in this area on the banks of the river Arno. The earliest hide and leather working activity was established here, where the large quantities of water required for leather processing are freely available. The Franciscan monks of the Santa Croce monastery dedicated their efforts to this activity, and their leather-working techniques have been preserved over the centuries by the master craftsmen who still work in the delightful old workshops at the School of Leather (except on Saturday and Sunday), which you will be visiting; an extraordinary Renaissance workshop adjacent to the Basilica, where history, tradition and exceptional quality are combined to produce authentic Florentine craftwork. A real "top must see” amazing place.
Meeting point
Starting Time: Morning Option at 11:00 am - Afternoon Option at 02.30 pm
Meeting with the guide at the entrance of Santa Croce Basilica
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Private Guided Visit Florence's Santa Croce Basilica and Ancient Leather School take?
The experience lasts about 1h 30m.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $132.85 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Earphones for groups of more than 7 participants; Local professional Guide at your side.
Where does it start?
Starting Time: Morning Option at 11:00 am - Afternoon Option at 02.30 pm Meeting with the guide at the entrance of Santa Croce Basilica
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in German, English, Italian, French, Spanish.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 19 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Florence.
