A Guide to Florence's Hidden Frescoed Refectories
Florence's cultural offerings are vast, yet the city struggles with overtourism. Beyond the main attractions, a network of frescoed refectories (cenacoli) from the 14th to 16th centuries offers a free or low-cost alternative. These works, commissioned by monastic orders, depict the Last Supper and other biblical scenes. Key sites include: Sant'Apollonia (Andrea del Castagno, 1447), Fuligno (Perugino, late 15th century), Ognissanti (Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1480), Convitto della Calza (Franciabigio, 1514), Santo Spirito (Andrea Orcagna, c. 1365), Santa Croce (Taddeo Gaddi, mid-14th century), and San Salvi (Andrea del Sarto, 1511-1526). Many were damaged in the 1966 flood and later restored. The refectories also host contemporary performances: choreographer Virgilio Sieni performed at San Salvi and Sant'Apollonia in summer 2024, and the Note al Museo concert series runs at Sant'Apollonia through October 2024. The article provides a walking tour with opening hours and access details.
Key facts
- Florence has numerous frescoed refectories (cenacoli) from the 14th to 16th centuries.
- The refectories were commissioned by monastic orders and often depict the Last Supper.
- Andrea del Castagno's Last Supper at Sant'Apollonia dates to 1447.
- Perugino's Last Supper at Fuligno was painted in the late 15th century.
- Domenico Ghirlandaio's Last Supper at Ognissanti was completed in 1480.
- Franciabigio's Last Supper at Convitto della Calza is dated 1514.
- Andrea Orcagna's fresco at Santo Spirito dates to around 1365.
- Taddeo Gaddi's fresco at Santa Croce includes the Tree of Life and was painted mid-14th century.
- Andrea del Sarto's Last Supper at San Salvi was worked on in 1511 and 1526.
- Many frescoes were damaged in the 1966 Florence flood and later restored.
- Choreographer Virgilio Sieni performed at San Salvi and Sant'Apollonia in summer 2024.
- The Note al Museo concert series is held at Sant'Apollonia through October 2024.
Entities
Artists
- Andrea del Castagno
- Perugino
- Domenico Ghirlandaio
- Franciabigio
- Andrea Orcagna
- Taddeo Gaddi
- Andrea del Sarto
- Giotto
- Paolo Uccello
- Beato Angelico
- Benedetto da Maiano
- Virgilio Sieni
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Brunelleschi
- Carlo V
- Benedetto Varchi
- Biagio Milanesi
- suor Antonia de' Medici
Institutions
- Galleria dell'Accademia
- Musei del Bargello
- Gallerie degli Uffizi
- Palazzo Strozzi
- Museo Novecento
- Museo della Moda di Palazzo Pitti
- Museo Nazionale di San Marco
- Fondazione Salvatore Romano
- Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina
- Artribune
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Sant'Apollonia
- Fuligno
- via Faenza
- Ognissanti
- piazza Ognissanti
- Convitto della Calza
- piazza della Calza
- Porta Romana
- Santo Spirito
- piazza Santo Spirito
- Santa Croce
- San Salvi
- Campo Marte
- Giardino di Boboli
- Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Milan
- Santa Felicita
- Annunziata
- San Marco