Churches: Basilica di Santa Croce (Part 3 of 3)

A tribute to Niccolo Matas.

One of the best features of Santa Croce is the façade, pictured below. 

The facade was added in the mid-1800's and covered the original rough stone exterior of the church.

The legend about the façade and its designer (apparently untrue in part) goes something like this: 

• The façade was designed by Italian architect Niccolo Matas, who also happened to be Jewish.  Matas included the Star of David on the façade. 
• As a tribute to his great work on the facade, upon his death he was buried under the porch of the church.  Unfortunately, his wish for burial within the walls of the Roman Catholic church was refused.  

Basilica di Santa Croce before addition of the marble façade

Basilica di Santa Croce with the marble façade

Basilica di Santa Croce, close up of the Star of David on the façade