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Great Cloister
The Chiostro Grande is the principal cloister of the Certosa di Pisa and served as the heart of the monastery's eremitic quarters, where individual Carthusian monks occupied their cells. Built entirely from Carrara marble between 1633 and 1651, it stands as one of the finest examples of Baroque renovation within the complex. What to see here includes the elegant marble arcades and the serene layout that reflects the contemplative nature of monastic life.
Cloister of the Prior
The Chiostro del Priore, also known as the Chiostrino priorale or Chiostro delle Foresterie, is a two-storey colonnaded cloister in Pisa featuring Romanesque arches and cross vaults supported on Corinthian columns. It once connected the Grand Ducal guesthouse to the Prior's private residence. At its centre stands a double cistern with a marble-edged basin, whilst an elevated walkway served as a private passage between the Grand Ducal apartments and the Prior's quarters. What to see here reveals the careful spatial planning of this religious administrative complex.
Capitular Cloister
The Chiostro Capitolare is the oldest of three cloisters within Certosa di Calci, dating from around 1471. This quadrangular courtyard features an elegant colonnade of sandstone with composite capitals. The cloister preserves architectural elements spanning several centuries, including a 17th-century marble cistern and 18th-century frescoes that were uncovered beneath later paint layers. What to see here captures the layers of monastic history in one intimate space.
Refectory
The Refectory of the Certosa di Pisa is the dining hall where monks gathered for their Sunday meals, developed from a 14th-century space. The room blends medieval foundations with elaborate 18th-century frescoes adorning the vault and walls, depicting scenes of convivial and moral significance. What to see here reflects the monastic life and artistic ambitions of the Carthusian community, combining functional architecture with sophisticated pictorial decoration that speaks to both contemplation and communal practice.
Foresteria
La Foresteria is the Certosa di Pisa's monumental guest lodge, built to accommodate the Grand Duke of Tuscany on official visits. Located to the right of the church, it stands adjacent to the prior's quarters and surrounds a smaller cloister. This elegant building showcases the monastery's importance and architectural ambitions during the Renaissance period.
Ancient Pharmacy
The Antica Spezieria is the former apothecary of Pisa's Certosa, housed in a separate building within the monastic complex. Here, Carthusian monks produced and sold medicinal remedies. The current eighteenth-century character stems from a thorough renovation undertaken between 1793 and 1796, which furnished the space with elaborate decorative features. Visitors can see the original apothecary layout and learn how monastic pharmaceutical practices operated in this distinctive setting.
Last Supper Fresco (Bernardino Poccetti)
This fresco by Florentine artist Bernardino Poccetti (1548–1612) dominates the refectory wall at the Certosa di Pisa. Executed between 1597 and 1598, it depicts the Last Supper in vivid detail across the main wall beneath the cloister-facing windows, positioned above a wooden cabinet. Christ's central figure aligns precisely with the prior's seat, a carefully considered arrangement typical of Renaissance refectory design. What to see: the dramatic composition and Poccetti's masterful use of perspective across the expansive fresco.
Renaissance Garden
The Giardino Rinascimentale is a Renaissance-style garden at the heart of the grand cloister at Certosa di Pisa. An imposing octagonal fountain dominates and visually organises the space, linking it to the ancient cells of the Carthusian monks that line the perimeter. What to see here includes both the formal layout of the garden and the architectural harmony between the central water feature and the surrounding monastic quarters.
Padres Chapels
The Cappelle dei Padri form a set of individual chapels within the Certosa di Pisa, each designed for private Mass by one of the fourteen Carthusian monks who could reside in the monastery. Every chapel possesses its own distinctive character, distinguished by unique Carrara marble floors and ornate decorations. These intimate spaces reflect the contemplative nature of monastic life and offer visitors insight into the spiritual practices of the order.
- 1.Great Cloister
- 2.Cloister of the Prior
- 3.Capitular Cloister
- 4.Refectory
- 5.Foresteria
- 6.Ancient Pharmacy
- 7.Last Supper Fresco (Bernardino Poccetti)
- 8.Renaissance Garden
- 9.Padres Chapels
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