‘Most beautiful’ cloister in Rome hides a dramatic and dark past

At the centre is a pond with goldfish and turtles surrounded by olive trees, two large palms and a tree laden with bright oranges that the friars use to make marmalade. Well-fed cats lounge about in sunny spots on the grass.

There are still 20 friars who live in the convent around the cloister, carrying out their duties.

“It is designed to be a place of prayer, of meditation and therefore in some way to encourage prayer and the meditation of the friars,” says Friar Aucone.

Over the centuries, this space has attracted important figures – in particular St Catherine of Siena and the Renaissance painter Fra Angelico, both of whom are buried in the adjoining basilica. It has been the scene of historic events, including two conclaves and the Roman Inquisition.