The San Marco Museum and its masterpieces of religious art

In the Piazza di San Marco, you might wonder for a moment where the Museo Nazionale di San Marco is located. However, you can't miss the Basilica of San Marco, which dominates the square: here, to the right of the square, is the rather discreet entrance to one of Florence's most renowned exhibition galleries.

The Museo San Marco is housed in a former monastery, part of an entire religious complex dedicated to San Marco. One of the most famous monks in the history of art, Fra Angelico, lived in one of his cells in the 15th century. This exceptionally talented monk is honoured in the collections of the Museo San Marco.

His most famous work stands out: his Annunciation, a Renaissance masterpiece painted around 1440, remains the museum's centrepiece.

Other paintings by Fra Angelico, as well as frescoes such as those adorning the former monks' cells, are also on display. Other great artists of the period are on display in the galleries of the Museo San Marco, a real treat for painting specialists and enthusiasts alike.

At the same time, the tour explores the old monastery, an architectural masterpiece by Michelozzo (15th century): the great cloister of St Antoninus, the Pilgrims' Hospice, the chapter house, the refectory, etc. The setting and the quality of the works on display make this definitely one of the finest museums in Florence.

San Marco is a district to remember when looking for a place to stay in Florence. Renowned as the home of Florence's universities, it is also home to two major museums, the Museo San Marco and the Galleria dell'Accademia, which houses Michelangelo's David.

But culture isn't the district's only asset: it's very well located, in the historic centre (it was built at the instigation of the Medici), just a few minutes' walk from Piazza Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, the heart of Florence. At the same time, it has escaped the tourist crowds of the Centro Storico, and is rapidly taking on a calmer, more local feel.

As a result, it's teeming with places to eat and go out in the evening, while meeting mostly Florentines: always a plus for blending into the city's atmosphere! A district where you can hang out at Aperitivo time, enjoy a glass of Chianti or a Spritz accompanied by Italian appetisers... perfect for finding a charming little hotel or a nice B&B...