Florence Charterhouse

Florence Charterhouse (Certosa di Firenze or Certosa del Galluzzo) is a charterhouse, or Carthusian monastery, located in the Florence suburb of Galluzzo, in central Italy. The building is a walled complex located on Monte Acuto, at the point of confluence of the Ema and Greve rivers.

Florence Charterhouse

Certosa di Firenze
Monastery information
Order	Carthusian
Established	1341
Dedicated to	Saint Lawrence
Country	Italy

Facade of the main church at Florence Charterhouse

Florence Charterhouse church

The courtyard of the monastery

The charterhouse was founded in 1341 by the Florentine noble Niccolò Acciaioli, Grand Seneschal of the Kingdom of Naples, but continued to expand over the centuries as the recipient of numerous donations. The monastery was also named "Palazzo agli Studi" (Palace to the Studies) as Acciaioli wanted to build a school of theology and philosophy attached to it.

Acheiropoeita at the Florence Charterhouse

It is dedicated to the martyr Saint Lawrence.

Florence, Certosa, Charterhouse, chapel, ca.1878

Florence, Certosa, Charterhouse, cloister, ca.1878

In 1958 the monastery was taken over by Cistercian monks.

The chapter house now holds five fresco lunettes by Pontormo from the cloister, damaged by exposure to the elements.

The charterhouse inspired Le Corbusier for his urban projects.^[1]

The monastery houses the Società Internazionale per lo Studio del Medioevo Latino, an Italian non-profit cultural institute.^[2]

Passion of Christ (Pontormo)

• 
  Agony in the Garden
• 
  Christ Before Pilate
• 
  Christ Carries His Cross
• 
  Deposition
• 
  Resurrection

Corner ceiling painting over the main altar of the Florence Charterhouse