Chiostro degli aranci, Renaissance cloister in Badia Fiorentina, Italy
The Chiostro degli Aranci is a cloister inside the Badia Fiorentina church with two levels, and the upper gallery displays eleven painted scenes. The walls are decorated with images from religious stories arranged in a calm, covered walkway around the central courtyard.
This cloister was built in the 1430s as a Renaissance project, reflecting the architectural style of that era. It was part of the larger redesign of the monastery complex during this period of artistic renewal.
The name comes from the orange trees that once grew in this courtyard, giving the space its distinctive character. The frescoes on the walls tell religious stories that visitors can still follow today, offering insight into how faith was expressed through art.
The cloister is part of a larger religious complex that you can explore from different angles, and the frescoes are best seen in daylight. Access is usually through the main church building, so allow time to find your way through the overall site.
A younger artist completely repainted one of the scenes much later, and this change was only reversed centuries afterward. The story of this alteration shows how artistic ideas about restoration and the value of original works shifted over time.
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