The Medici were bankers, unofficial princes of Florence, then official rulers of the city and one of the greatest dynasties Italy has ever seen. Their stamp remains all over the country but it is most evident and visible in Florence, where they were incredible patrons of the arts. As they were of, ruled and designed the city, many were, of course, laid to rest there as well. One of the most important burial sites for the family are the Cappelle Medicee (or Medici Chapels), two structures at the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
Dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and built as extensions to Brunelleschi's 15th-century church to celebrate and accommodate the Medici family, the chapels consist of the Sagrestia Nuova, (or New Sacristy) designed by Michelangelo, and the 17th century Cappella dei Principi.
The Sagrestia Nuova was commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici and Pope Leo X, his cousin, to be a mausoleum for members of the Medici family.
Dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and built as extensions to Brunelleschi's 15th-century church to celebrate and accommodate the Medici family, the chapels consist of the Sagrestia Nuova, (or New Sacristy) designed by Michelangelo, and the 17th century Cappella dei Principi.
The Sagrestia Nuova was commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici and Pope Leo X, his cousin, to be a mausoleum for members of the Medici family.
Placed across from Brunelleschi's Old Sacristy, in the right transept of the church, it is a domed cubical space made of gray pietra serena and whitewashed walls. Designed by Michelangelo, it is fitted out with monuments also designed by the great artist that are dedicated to members of the Medici family and which are decorated with sculptural figures.
The octagonal Cappella dei Principi, meanwhile, is located to the back of the building, behind the altar, and is surmounted by a tall dome that marks San Lorenzo in the Florentine skyline. It is an opulent space envisioned originally by Cosimo I, commissioned by Ferdinand I de' Medici and designed by Matteo Nigetti, in collaboration with the Medici themselves.
Made up of marbles inlaid with colored marbles and semi-precious stone, it is occupied by six empty grand sarcophagi as the Medici remains were eventually interred in the crypt below.
The octagonal Cappella dei Principi, meanwhile, is located to the back of the building, behind the altar, and is surmounted by a tall dome that marks San Lorenzo in the Florentine skyline. It is an opulent space envisioned originally by Cosimo I, commissioned by Ferdinand I de' Medici and designed by Matteo Nigetti, in collaboration with the Medici themselves.
Made up of marbles inlaid with colored marbles and semi-precious stone, it is occupied by six empty grand sarcophagi as the Medici remains were eventually interred in the crypt below.
The ornamented nature of this chapel has meant that is has fallen out of favour in different eras due to taste of the time, however, it reflects contemporaneous ideas about design and makes an incredible impact – no matter what you might personally feel about the aesthetic choices.
San Lorenzo is already a wonderful attraction that deserves a visit as one of the most interesting churches in the city and a masterpiece by the great Brunelleschi. However, these two chapels make for another excellent reason to visit. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and drop by.
San Lorenzo is already a wonderful attraction that deserves a visit as one of the most interesting churches in the city and a masterpiece by the great Brunelleschi. However, these two chapels make for another excellent reason to visit. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and drop by.
