La Certosa
Just outside the monastery there is Palazzo Acciaioli which was used as an accommodation for young people who wanted to study literature and science. Among the most significant places of the monastery there is the church of San Lorenzo. It’s completely decorated with frescoes and paintings and has a magnificent altar from the 16th Century and a crypt with numerous graves.
From the church you will be directed onto a large cloister from the Renaissance era, with its large fountain and many terracotta relief done by Andrea and Giovanni della Robbia. This cloister is the heart of this large building complex and truly a breath taking monument.
From here you reach the cells of the monks, some of which may even be visited. Each cell consists of a bedroom and a room for prayers. The architecture of these cells is clear and sober, each cells overlooks a tiny isolated garden section. The architecture helps to understand the lifestyle of the monks, just focus on the spiritual world without unnecessary distractions.
Opposite this cloister there is an access to the so-called Cloister of the Conversi (lay brothers). This cloister is smaller and from here you enter the dining refectory of the monks. In the large cloister there have been five frescoes that were painted by Pontormo in the middle of the 15th century. These frescos illustrate the stations of the Passion of Christ. Because of the unfavorable conditions in this open location, they have been removed and can be seen with other pieces of art in the Art Gallery of the monastery.