Museo di San Marco in Florence: Beato Angelico, Savonarola and the Medicis
Description
2-hour tour in one of the less famous and most impressive museums in the world: The Convent San Marco, with its cells of the Dominican friars and the cell where Cosimo The Elder Medici used to pray! Each cell has been frescoed by Beato Angelico, one of the great painters of the Renaissance and a friar himself. Here we visit the Refectory with the marvellous Last Supper by Domenico del Ghirlandaio, the famous Medici library and also the cell of the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola, who was burnt at the stalk in Piazza Signoria. His dress is still there, with the marks of the burning, more than 500 years old! The astonishing Basilica San Marco is the burial place of Agnolo Poliziano and Girolamo Savonarola. Of course we'll visit it as well!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Tour Operator providing this tour
Wonderful Convent created by the Architect of Cosimo de' Medici. Beato Angelico's paintings, the cells of the friars, the Renaissance Library of the Pope Leo X, Girolamo Savonarola's cells and whatever we cannot explain. Just see it and be amazed!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(17)
Our guide, Katherine, was very knowledgeable and really made the works of Fra Angelico come alive for us.
Entering the first cloister... Time slows down .. and walking ... step by step .. admiring beautiful masterpieces of an ancient art .... time takes you back to a distant time but still present ... climbing the staircase that leads to the upper floor where the cells of the friars who made those places of Christian spirit, welcomes you the Mother of all mothers who placidly listens to the words of the Angel. Continuing you can still feel the presence of the Friar who fell a sad fate.... Looking for yourself? Looking for answers to your big questions? Well.... it's the right place! You will come out deeply light....try it!
Visiting the Museum of San Marco with Made of Tuscany was one of the most moving experiences of my time in Florence. Thanks to her expertly chosen guide, I discovered a hidden gem that touched me deeply. Walking through the quiet cloisters and the monks’ cells painted by Beato Angelico felt like stepping into another world — intimate, spiritual, and full of beauty. The guide Susanna brought to life the dramatic stories of Savonarola, the influence of the Medici, and the profound serenity of the frescoes with clarity and emotion. It wasn’t just a tour — it was a journey into the soul of Renaissance Florence. Amazing experience!
We got Piazza San Marco for our private tour to be told the museum was closed on Monday. The tour company did not know the hours were changed. I should have received an email or phone call so I could do something else. We have limited time in Florence and San Marco was something I really wanted to see. The tour guide gave us the option of visiting Palazzo Medici. I had already been there years before but the other 3 in my family had not. We went there since we were had gotten up early and walked 30 minutes to the meeting point.
Beautiful visit to the convent and especially the paintings of Fra Angelico. The museum is less frequented than the classical places of florence. No Reservation needed. The place is peaceful, quiet and Fra Angelico's paintings in the monks' cells are splendid, the colors in particular, we are under the spell and contemplation. A visit not to be missed.
A must-do place to visit while in Florence. This amazing religious estate offers a taste of life for Dominican friars but, more impressively, a wide range of amazing fresco paintings in their dormitories, of which a large number are by Fra Angelico (15th century). To really appreciate the skills and time put into these pieces, you really must visit the Church and the dormitories. In addition, there are lots of other unique historical treasures, including 15th-century manuscripts used for music. A must-do place to visit.
The tour guide obviously knew much about the subject matter, but was barely understandable. Her mastery of English was not what we hoped for. Still, the paintings and frescoes are amazing.
I have never been able to understand why this museum is not crowded, having such interesting works inside. Good, but better for one, as it can be enjoyed better. In 2010 I went to this museum and it was forbidden to photograph, but this time, in February 2023, you could luckily, so I will have taken more than 200 photos inside. It is not necessary to buy tickets in advance, precisely because of the low influx of visitors. This museum can be divided into two: first, the Pinacoteca located on the ground floor, with magnificent paintings by Florentine Renaissance artists, and second, the cells of San Marcos, on the first floor, decorated by Fra Giovanni de Fiésole, better known as Fra Angelico or Blessed Angelico, commissioned by the Dominican Mojes. You can also visit the cell where Girolamo Savonarola lived for a time, a famous preacher who had participation in the Florence government for a short time and had a series of worldly items burned, which was called "the Bonfire of Vanities".
This is a really special place. There is something about the atmosphere as well as the stunning frescoes by Fra Angelico.
This is probably my favourite place in Florence because of the frescoes by Fra' Angelico and being able to see inside the monks' cells - each with a fresco. The Accademia is also very nearby.
