Complesso monumentale di Santa Croce

Santa Croce originated from a project by Pope Pius V Ghislieri (1504-1571) to honour his native land making it into a religious centre which spread the Catholic faith and doctrine. Some of the best-known artists of the time were called to work on its realisation: Ignazio Danti and Martino Longhi the elder as architects and Giorgio Vasari as painter. The grandiose complex includes the church, the Dominican convent, two cloisters and the Library. The church, built between 1566 and 1572, is an early example of the artistic renewal of the Counter-Reformation. The classic style facade can be traced back to Roman architectural models of the late 16th century. The interior is formed by a wide and bright barrel-vaulted nave and flanked by five chapels per side, with an octagonal dome above the transept. The paintings that deserve attention include those by Giorgio Vasari painted for the magnificent high altar destroyed in 1710, among which stands out the Last Judgement. The exquisite mausoleum in porphyry and green marble of Pius V and the beautiful wooden choir, engraved in 1571-72, with reredos bearing effigies of the Saints, coats of arms and biblical scenes, are also remarkable. On the ground floor, the nearby Dominican convent presents the large refectory, the chapter house and the room used as a kitchen. The two cloisters are also of great importance; the first encloses a lovely garden; the large cloister presents a small temple at the centre with the well for the collection of rainwater. The Church of Santa Croce is open to visitors by appointment (327 2809953), from 10 am - noon and from 4 pm - 7 pm, every day, except Wednesday. Visits of the Convent are possible by appointment, call 331 4434961 (Ass. Amici di Santa Croce), except on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December. The Museum is open on Saturday and Sunday from 4 pm to 7 pm (summer) and from 3 pm to 6 pm (winter, from 1 October to 30 April). Closed 15 August. On 31 March (Easter Sunday) and 1 April (Easter Monday) 2024 the Complex of Santa Croce is open to the public.