Guided tour of Santa Croce Basilica and the School of Leather

VISIT “THE TEMPLE OF ITALIAN GLORIES”TO TRIBUTE ILLUSTRIOUS MEN AND WOMEN

Tour into the Basilica. Let us guide you inside one of the most beautiful and suggestive churches in Florence! Together we will rediscover the pictorial cycles of Giotto and his followers, the crucifix by Filippo Brunelleschi and Pazzi Chapel — a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture — the funeral monuments to the most important characters of all time (among all we remember Michelangelo and Galileo Galilei). Many damages were caused by a terrible flood in 1966 which was truly devastating in this area, so much so that the crucifix of Cimabue, kept in this church, has become a bit the emblem of the great catastrophe. This and much more awaits us in the church that made Stendhal and many others tremble with emotion! The masterpieces of Santa Croce through the eyes of excellent travelers. From Stendhal's fainting to Dickens' admiration, Santa Croce has always aroused infinite emotions and reflections in its visitors. An obligatory stop during the Grand Tour, the church attracted many excellent tourists between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, acquiring a reputation that inspired the verses of Byron, the heroines of Madame de Staël up to the most prosaic diorama theater in London. The visit will be an opportunity to rediscover Santa Croce guided by the words of Melville, James, Twain, Goncourt and many others and to see, through their eyes, also those details that have been lost in the centuries-old history of the monumental complex The visit to the Basilica, led by an expert guide, will serve as a starting point to deepen multiple educational fields, from history, to art, to architecture and literature.

VISIT THE HISTORICAL SCHOOL OF LEATHER

Directly from inside the basilica you can access the oldest Leather School, where the art of working the leather continues today; a path to discover a fascinating craft full of secrets handed down from generation to generation, from teachers to students, and so on. Can you recognize a “real leather” product from a fake one? This is a unique opportunity to learn something useful and learn about the most important steps that lead to the creation of bags, wallets, jackets, leather shoes that are found in many shops in Florence and beyond. The leather artists are heirs of one of the most influential arts that in the Middle Ages ruled the richest city in the world. Do you know what the Art of Leather was and how the Government of the Arts worked? Let's find out together!

COMPLETE THE KNOWLEDGE OF LEATHER PRODUCTS BY VISITING ONE OF THE ARTISAN WORKSHOPS

The experience continues inside one of the historic artisan shops, where you will be guided by a Friend / Personal Shopper who will be able to advise you on the purchase of leather garments, for yourself or as a gift. Immersed in the scents and colors of various collections in typical Florentine style, you will be the protagonist of one of the most particular shopping experiences I have ever tried so far. Bags, jackets, belts, wallets, shoes, key rings, gift items and the most innovative items made with real Italian leather Made in Florence. As our customer, you are entitled to a discount on most products. Be a traveler and not just a tourist!