The
monumental complex of the cloister, considered
an extraordinary example of Italian Gothic architecture,
was begun around 1340 by Fra’ Sisto and
Fra’ Ristoro.
The first cloister on the right of the doorway
is the so-called Chiostro Verde (Green cloister)
with strong yet harmonious proportions. It takes
its name from the frescoes originally painted
in "green clay" by many artists of early
15th century including Paolo Uccello (1397-1475),
one of the greatest Florentine Renaissance masters,
who painted here some of his best works like the
Flood and the Sacrifice of Noah.
The cloister gives access to the Refectory (and
from here to the Large Cloister decorated at the
end of the 16th century) and to the Cappellone
degli Spagnoli. In the 16th century this was the
chapter house and was given this name because
of meetings held in this location by the Spanish
followers of Eleonora da Toledo, the wife of Cosimo
I. This large section of the building still preserves
the complex frescoes by Andrea di Bonaiuto (mid-14th
century), which exalt the work of the Dominicans,
to whom the church belonged. The fresco representing
the Church militant features the cathedral in
the background or rather the original project
of Arnolfo for the Cathedral of Florence.
The Chiostro Verde also gives access to the Chiostrino
dei Morti and the Strozzi Chapel, decorated with
14th century frescoes.
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