Complesso monumentale di Santa Croce

Santa Croce was commissioned by Pope Pius V Ghislieri (1504-1571) to honour his birthplace making it a religious centre for the promulgation of faith and Catholic doctrine. Some of the most renowned artists of the period were called upon for this project: Ignazio Danti and Martino Longhi the Elder as architects and Giorgio Vasari as painter. The magnificent complex comprises 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 period. Its classical facade can be traced to the Roman architecture of the late 16th century. Inside, it is composed of a vast and luminous barrel-vaulted nave flanked by five chapels on each side, with an octagonal dome above the transept. The artworks that deserve a mention include those of Giorgio Vasari painted for the magnificent high altar destroyed in 1710, among which stands out the Universal Judgement. Also of note are the refined mausoleum of Pius V in porphyry and green marble and the splendid wooden choir, carved in 1571-1572, with reredos bearing effigies of Saints, coats of arms and biblical scenes. The adjacent Dominican convent has a large refectory on the ground floor, the chapter house and the chamber that was used as a kitchen. The two cloisters are also of great importance; the first encloses a delightful 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 4 pm to 7 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm (winter, from 1 October to 30 April). Closed 15 August. On Sunday 2 June the convent of Santa Croce will be open to the public from 4 pm to 7 pm.