The
convent of San Marco was rebuilt by Cosimo de' Medici
for the Dominicans in 1437. During the construction Fra Angelico
himself, a Dominican monk, frescoed most of the walls
of the building. The
ex-convent now stands in memorial to this most sublime painter
of the
Renaissance.
In the courtyard of San Marco, right off
the convent's former bell tower, is the vaulted Sala
Capitolare (Chapter House) decorated with a noted Crucifixion.
Exploring
the convent further, you will approach the Dormitory
Cells consisting of 44 tiny monastic cells frescoed
with scenes from "The Life of Christ" by Angelico.
The cells numbered from 1 to 11 are generally attributed
to Fra' Angelico personally, as is the lovely
fresco of the Madonna and Saints on the right side of
the corridor.
From the courtyard you enter the first floor,
where you will see "Annunciation" by Fra'
Angelico, considered by many to be among the most beautiful
Renaissance
painting in Florence.
You'll leave with fond memories that will last a life time.
In the courtyard of San Marco, right off
the convent's former bell tower, is the vaulted Sala
Capitolare (Chapter House) decorated with a noted Crucifixion.
From the courtyard you enter the first floor,
where you will see "Annunciation" by Fra'
Angelico, considered by many to be among the most beautiful
Renaissance
painting in Florence.