The Convent of San Francesco sits at the top of the hill above Piazza Mino, reached by a steep lane that winds past the old Etruscan walls. Franciscan friars have been here since the early 15th century, and the small church retains a quiet, unrestored atmosphere quite different from the polished museums below. The convent is still active; visit respectfully and outside service hours.
The surprise is the Museo Missionario Etnologico, a small collection of objects brought back by Franciscan missionaries from China, Egypt, and elsewhere — ancient Egyptian artifacts, Chinese ceramics, Tibetan bronze figures, and curiosities accumulated over several centuries of missionary work. It's an eccentric collection in a beautiful setting. The terrace beside the church offers one of the best panoramas of Florence and the Arno valley in the area, looking directly south over the city.