Museo del Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto a San Salvi
The refectory of the former Vallombrosan abbey of San Salvi, with the Last Supper frescoed by Andrea del Sarto and 16th-century Florentine paintings.
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About the museum
The museum is housed in the former convent of the Vallombrosan Benedictine monks of San Salvi, outside the walls of Florence. The abbey, founded in the 11th century, was enlarged and restored from the beginning of the 16th century with the construction of the southern portico, the kitchen, the lavabo room and the refectory.
In 1511 the fresco of the Last Supper was commissioned from Andrea del Sarto for the refectory; it was completed in 1526. Inspired by Leonardo's Last Supper (Cenacolo) in Milan, the painting shows the apostles at the moment when Jesus announces the betrayal, and adds at the top a small scene with two figures looking out from a terrace. According to the account of Benedetto Varchi, the beauty of the fresco saved this part of the convent from the destruction ordered in 1529, when buildings outside the walls could offer shelter to the army of Charles V.
The convent rooms (corridor, kitchen, lavabo room and refectory) house a route with 16th-century paintings by Pontormo, Franciabigio, Raffaellino del Garbo, Bachiacca, Carlo Portelli, Bernardino Poccetti and a group of works by Plautilla Nelli. One room also holds the marbles by Benedetto da Rovezzano for the funerary monument of San Giovanni Gualberto, which was left unfinished. The museum is part of the Direzione regionale Musei nazionali della Toscana (Regional Directorate of National Museums of Tuscany).
Highlights
- Last Supper by Andrea del Sarto (1511–1526)
- Fede e Carità (Faith and Charity) by Pontormo above the refectory entrance
- Paintings by Plautilla Nelli
- Marbles by Benedetto da Rovezzano for the monument to San Giovanni Gualberto
- Grotesque decoration of the soffit arch (1511)
Permanent exhibition
- Cenacolo e dipinti del Cinquecento fiorentino – In the refectory, Andrea del Sarto's Last Supper and, in the convent rooms, works by Pontormo, Franciabigio, Bachiacca, Plautilla Nelli and other artists.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei nazionali Toscana
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €2European Union citizens aged 18 to 25. |
Reductions and free admissions follow the rules for state museums. Tickets are also on sale online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Assistance for people with disabilities is listed among the museum's services.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum has a restoration workshop, guides and catalogues; it also hosts early music concerts. |
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