7Visit Florence’s Hidden Cloisters

Behind the grand façades of Florence’s churches lie secret oases of calm: cloisters. These enclosed gardens and arcaded courtyards offer a break from the bustle of the city.
The Chiostro dello Scalzo is a little-known gem decorated with monochrome frescoes by Andrea del Sarto, almost always empty of visitors. The cloister of Santa Croce has elegant Renaissance arches framing serene gardens, perfect for contemplation. And the cloister of San Lorenzo, often overlooked while visitors flock to the Medici Chapel, provides a quiet corner of Brunelleschi’s design genius.