Italian Italian Cloisters: A Visitor's Guide

Italy's cloisters are oases of calm — columned courtyards where monks walked, gardens bloomed, and time slowed. Many are free and uncrowded.

Chiostro di Santa Maria della Pace, Rome

Must-See
RomeWhere
1500-04Period

Bramante's perfect High Renaissance cloister — harmonious proportions and now a cafe where you can sit among the columns.

Chiostro del Paradiso, Amalfi

Must-See
AmalfiWhere
1266Period

An Arab-Norman cloister with interlacing arches — the Amalfi Coast's most atmospheric space. Adjacent to the cathedral. €3.

Certosa di Pavia

Must-See
LombardyWhere
1396-1542Period

The grandest Carthusian monastery in Italy — the Renaissance facade, the great cloister, and the monks' individual houses. Free guided tours.

Monreale Cloisters, Sicily

Must-See
SicilyWhere
1174-89 (UNESCO)Period

228 twin columns, each uniquely carved — Romanesque, Gothic, and Arab-Norman styles mixed. The most extraordinary medieval cloister in Europe.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo

Must-See
SicilyWhere
12th c.Period

Red domes and a palm-filled cloister — Arab-Norman Sicily at its most exotic. Small, quiet, and deeply atmospheric.

💡 Pro tip: These buildings are almost always free and uncrowded. Visit in the afternoon when tour groups have left.

Where to start

Start with the must-see examples, then explore the hidden gems. Italy's italian cloisters reward the curious visitor.

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