Outside and Main Gate
Exterior views of the cloister. The landscaping doesn't stop inside the walls.
This is the main gate for the cloister walk/wall.
It includes details like these birds (doves I think).
Lower Garden
The lower garden is about two storeys below street level, hence, it's very quiet once you get into the lower garden's bowl (seen here). The walkway actually spirals down and is surrounded by trees and other foliage. The whole thing is actually outside the cloister wall. These pictures can not convey the sense of peace and quiet that is present in the lower garden; it's just a very calm place.
The lower garden includes all the stations of the cross. You can see four of them here along one of the paths back up to street level.
View of the main church building from the floor of the lower garden.
Naturally, there are statues of St. Francis all over the place. This one is tucked away in the lower garden.
Upper Garden and Church
The main church building from the entrance to the lower garden. It's a little bright to tell but yes, the upper-most dome is gold.
Main entrance to the church building. Spread out around this building inside the cloister wall is the upper garden.
Most of the flowers in the upper garden are roses. Some bloom early like these two.
These two mosaics are on either side of a side entrance to the church.
This is hidden around the side of the main church. Just a little bubbling fountain and some flowers.
This is also tucked away behind some flowers.
The upper garden is big enough to include this replica of the first church of St. Francis. Exterior (left) and interior (right).
Cloister walk
The cloister wall includes these medallions on either side of each arch. The posts holding up the walls are decorated with repeating patterns of shape in composite stones.
The cloister walk is, of course, yet another opportunity for stations of the cross. You can see, sort of, the Ave Maria on the plaques on either side of the mosaic at station VIII.
The cloister walk has plaques for the Ave Maria in 150 languages including French, Italian, Latin, and Scottish Gaelic.
Environs
One of the things I like about my neighborhood is the variety of architecture available. These houses are on two corners a block from the monastery.
These two, in Craftsman style, are another block down.