21 
CHAPTER II. 
FROM THE SS. TRINITA TO S. CROCE. 
HE Piazza SS. Trinità is perhaps the most central 
position in Florence, and near it are many of the prin¬ 
cipal hotels. Let us therefore take this as a starting-point 
for our various excursions over the city. 
The centre of the square is occupied by a pillar from 
the Baths of Caracalla at Rome, given to the Grand-Duke 
Cosimo I. by Pius IV. It supports a statue of Justice by 
Francesco Ferrucci. The neighbouring Church of SS. Trinità 
dates in its foundation from the ninth, but was entirely 
altered in the sixteenth century. The façade is by Bernardo 
Buontalenti. Over the entrance is a relief of the Holy 
Trinity by Giov. Coccini. Entering the church, on the right 
of the central door is a marble shrine delicately sculptured 
with arabesques by Benedetto da Rovezzano, 1490-1550. 
Right. ist Chapel. A bronze crucifix given to Florence by the Con- 
fraternity of the Bianchi. 
4th Chapel (which has’a very rich iron screen). An Annunciation by 
Lorenzo Monaco, commonly called Don Lorenzo, a Camaldese friar. 
•The quiet grace and the thoughtsul character of the two happily¬ 
placed figures has given a sort of typical value to this picture. 
Burckhardt. 
The Sacristy, built in 1421 by Palla Strozzi, contains his tomb. He 
was banished to Padua with the Medici, with whom he returned in 1434, 
to build the original Palazzo Strozzi. 
The 2nd Chapel to the right of the High Altar has monuments of 
Francesco Sassetti and Nera Cosi his wife, by Giuliano di San Gallo. 
This Chapel contains some of the most beautiful works of Domenico