The Santa Maria Novella Convent in Florence has turned its cloisters into a museum. Highlights are a number of frescoes by Paolo Uccello and the socalled Spanish Chapel.
Santa Maria Novella Museum Florence
Address, Admission and Opening Hours
The address of the Museo di Santa Maria Novella is Piazza Santa Maria Novella – Florence. Tel. +39 055282187. The opening hours are: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. (July to September) or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (October to June). The entrance fee is 5 Euro. Visitors older than 65 pay only 3,50 Euros.
Highlights
Chiostro Verde
The “Green Cloister” (Chiostro Verde) gets its name from the green tint that predominates in the frescoes made by Paolo Uccello. These can be seen on the right wall.
Especially the first panel, with the “Deluge”, the “Withdrawal of the Deluge” and the “Drunkenness and Sacrifice of Noah” from 1446 is famous. The walls on either side represent the Ark.
Unfortunately, the work was severely damaged during (really!) a flood of the Arno in 1966. In the middle of the courtyard is a cypress-framed fountain.
Cloister of the Dead
The Chiostrino dei Morti is connected to the Chiostro Verde by an arched gallery. The name is due to the fact that burials have taken place here since its construction.
Cappella degli Spagnoli
The Cappella degli Spagnoli (“Chapel of the Spaniards”) owes its name to the bride of Cosimo de’ Medici, Eleonora di Toledo, whose private chapel it was. Andrea di Bonaiuto (with the help of his pupils and assistants) painted the frescoes depicting the history of the preaching of the Florence-based Domenicans.