Meditz Chapel

The Medici Chapels in Florence form an impressive extension of the Basilica of San Lorenzo and serve as a glorious memorial to the powerful Medici family, who shaped the city's history as Grand Dukes of Tuscany. The complex consists of two distinct structures: the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo, and the much larger Chapel of the Princes. While the New Sacristy was conceived as a mausoleum for select family members, the Chapel of the Princes serves as a showpiece court that reflects the splendor of the Medici court. Both buildings are closely tied to the family's history and offer a deep insight into the art and architecture of the Renaissance and the Baroque.

The New Sacristy, also known as the Medici Chapel, is Michelangelo's first architectural work. It was designed as a deliberate counterpart to Brunelleschi's older sacristy and stands out for its cubic form, crowned by a dome. Inside, you'll find the monumental tombs of Giuliano di Lorenzo and Lorenzo di Piero, complemented by the famous sculptures of the four times of day. These figures had a great influence on later generations of sculptors. Although Michelangelo never fully completed the project because he left for Rome, the work was later finished by other artists such as Giorgio Vasari and Bartolomeo Ammannati. A hidden corridor containing drawings by Michelangelo was also discovered beneath the chapel.

The Chapel of the Princes is an octagonal building with a tall dome, recognizable from afar as a striking landmark of the basilica. It was built in the early 17th century under the direction of Matteo Nigetti and Bernardo Buontalenti and reflects the opulent taste of the court. Especially eye-catching is the complete covering of the walls with mosaics of colored marble and semiprecious stones, a technique known as commessi. This elaborate decoration, carried out by the grand-ducal workshop for stone carving, surrounds the room with a dense pattern. Portrait sculptures of grand dukes stand in the niches, while the actual remains of the Medici family are buried in the crypt below.