The Certosa of Galuzzo

One of the most interesting itineraries on the outskirts of the city. Located at the top of Monte Acuto which dominates the valley of the Ema river it acts as a point of reference when one approaches Florence from the south or from Porta Romana. Following the via Senese out of the city one finds it just before the entrance to the highway for Siena. It was begun in 1341 by the rich Florentine banking family of Niccolò Acciaioli, a member of the Guild of the money changers and a important official in the Angiò court of Naples.
This great monument is made up of many different religious buildings and a Palace used by the Acciaioli family. The original intent, stated in the will and Testament of Niccolò, was to construct a monastery for young Florentine boys who wished to study. Upon the death of the founder in 1365 it was still incomplete and was finished only in the 15th C. Almost immediately however, alteration and additions were begun which lasted until the 17th c.

The Court yard and the large Hall, which are part of the original building, represent the architectural link that united the Palace and the religious area of the complex. Today the large hall is used as an art galley in which many important paintings are on display. The most famous are the frescoes with stories of the Passion of Christ painted by Pontormo between 1523 and 1525.
The church, constructed by the monks of the certosini order, has a facade dating to the 16th c. by Fancelli and on the inside one can see many 17th c. alterations.
One passes from the choir of the church into the convent itself and here one can see many small chapels of the 14th C, one of which, the S. Mary chapel, was constructed for Agnolo Acciaioli is a real church in the shape of a Greek cross. Underneath this is the chapel of S. Tobius which was used as the tomb for the Acciaioli family. Many artists participated in it's realization, in particular the school of Orcagna and many be also Donatello.
If one wishes to experience the monastic peace it is well worth your time to visit the cells of the monks, used for study and contemplation.
From the small cloister one enters the Chapter hall , in the original part of the building which Leonardo Buonafè wanted as his sepulchre. The tomb is by Francesco da Sangallo. From here a corridor takes you to the famous cloister of the monks upon which open the cells. These cells go back to the 16th c. because the original ones were wooden huts. Each cell , made up of 2 or 3 rooms and a private garden, is separated from the others.

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