Italy Blog #35- Florence: Meet the Famous Dead in Santa Croche-Part 2

Niccolò Machiavelli's tomb

Today in our Italy blog #35, we'll introduce you to more famous dead people buried in the Basilica of Santa Croche, Florence, Italy. In this part you'll see where  Machiavelli and Rossini are laid to rest. 
You may not recognize Rossini's name, but you'll know his works...

MACHIAVELLI'S TOMB - Nearly halfway down the nave of Santa Croce stands the tomb of Niccolò Machiavell

Machiavelli on cover of his book

WHO WAS MACHIAVELLI? Biography.com said:  Niccolò Machiavelli was born May 3, 1469. He was a diplomat for 14 years in Italy's Florentine Republic during the Medici family's exile. When the Medici family returned to power in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed and briefly jailed. He then wrote The Prince, a handbook for politicians on the use of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term "Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory." He also wrote several poems and plays. He died on June 21, 1527, in Florence, Italy.

FAST FACT:   TOMB CAME 260 YEARS LATER - Though he died in 1527, his tomb was not built until 1787. Machiavelli’s monument is a marble structure created by Spinazzi that bears the inscription, “Tanto nomini nullum par eulogium,” or “No elegy is equal to such a name.”

Rossini's Tomb

ROSSINI'S TOMB - At the end of the church's nave is the tomb of opera composer Gioachino Rossini, who died in 1868. Rossini penned 39 operas, including the famous “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and “La Cenerentola.” Until his retirement in 1829, Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history. His monument was created in 1900 by Giuseppe Cassioli.

WHO WAS ROSSINI? - He was nicknamed "The Italian Mozart"!

Rossini

Gioachino Antonio Rossini; (Born Feb. 29, 1792 died Nov. 13, 1868) was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas as well as sacred music, chamber music, songs, and some instrumental and piano pieces.
His best-known operas include the Italian comedies include The Barber of Seville, Cinderella and the French-language epics Moïse et Pharaon and William Tell.
Until his retirement in 1829, Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history. He is quoted as joking, "Give me the laundress' bill and I will even set that to music."


 NEXT: MARCONI'S TOMB AND AN AMAZING FLOOR OF THE DEAD