Chiostro dello Scalzo

Chiostro dello Scalzo houses one of Florence's most remarkable fresco cycles, painted entirely in grisaille (shades of gray) by Andrea del Sarto between 1511 and 1526. The small cloister contains twelve scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist, executed with such precision that they look like marble reliefs rather than painted walls. Two scenes were actually completed by del Sarto's student Franciabigio, but you'd need an art history degree to spot the difference.

You'll have this tiny courtyard almost entirely to yourself, which feels surreal given the artistic caliber. The frescoes run chronologically around the cloister walls, starting with the Annunciation to Zacharias and ending with the Beheading of the Baptist. The monochrome technique creates an intimate, almost meditative atmosphere that's completely different from the color-saturated chapels elsewhere in Florence. Each scene reveals del Sarto's mastery of anatomy and perspective, particularly in the dancing Salome sequence.

Most guidebooks barely mention this place, which works in your favor. Entry is completely free, and you'll often find the attendant reading a newspaper in the corner while you study million-euro frescoes alone. The visit takes exactly as long as you want it to, though 20 minutes covers the highlights thoroughly. Skip it only if you're completely frescoed out from the Sistine Chapel comparisons get old fast.