The San Marco Museum in Florence occupies a former Dominican convent just north of the Duomo. Its cloisters, chapter house and upstairs cells offer a rare chance to experience Renaissance art in the setting for which it was created, rather than in a conventional gallery.
Rebuilt in the 15th century to designs by Michelozzo with funding from Cosimo de’ Medici, the convent is closely associated with Fra Angelico. His Annunciation at the top of the stairs is the best-known work, but the frescoes in the friars’ cells are just as compelling: intimate scenes intended to support prayer and contemplation. The museum also recalls Girolamo Savonarola, the Dominican preacher who held sway over Florentine politics before his execution in 1498.
Allow around 90 minutes to explore the cells, cloisters and Michelozzo’s graceful library without rushing. Check opening hours before you go, as schedules can change, and expect stairs to the upper floor. The museum is an easy walk from the Duomo and works well alongside a visit to the nearby Accademia.