From February 21 through April 26, free guided visits every Friday and Saturday
Every Friday and Saturday at 10am and 11.30am, up until April 26, you can take the opportunity to join a free guided visit to visit the Chiostro dello Scalzo where you can admire frescoes by Andrea del Sarto and Franciabigio. The visits, offered by staff, will be the chance to discover this small yet magical cultural gem that even many locals have never visited.
What is the Chiostro dello Scalzo?
The Chiostro dello Scalzo was the atrium for the chapel of the Company of San Giovanni Battista dello Scalzo, created in 1376 and called “Scalzo” which means barefoot in Italian, because during processions the cross bearer of the order used to go barefoot. Designed by the architect Giuliano da Sangallo, th cloister was frescoed by Andrea del Sarto and by Franciabigio, with the Stories of St. John the Baptist and the four virtues, Faith, Hope, Charity and Justice to the sides of the entrance doors.
The affrescoes, created in a monochrome chiaroscuro technique (no color), create 10 scenes of the life of the patron saint of Florence. The far wall of the cloister is presided by the bust of Sant’Antonino Pierozzi, a long ago prior of the convent of San Marco and spiritual teacher for Beato Angelo, who in 1455 as archbishop of Florence approved the first statute of the brotherhood.
Groups form a few minutes before the times indicated above, for a max of 15 people per time. There is no need to book the visit, just show up before the start of the tour.
If you cannot visit on these two days and join in the guided visit, I’ll remind you that the Cloister is also open mornings, from Tuesday to Saturday, the first and third Sunday and second and fourth Monday of every month from 8.30am to 2pm (last entrance allowed at 1.50pm). Entrance is always free. If you want to learn more about the Chiostro dello Scalzo or view more photos, check out our article on the Chiostro here.
Enjoy your visit
