The San Lorenzo ensemble consistes of the church of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Laurentian Library and this is where great artists, such as Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello and Michelangelo worked.
San Lorenzo was originally the church of the Medici, which explains why such a beautiful ensemble was created on this spot.
Brunelleschi was the architect of The Church of San Lortenzo, which is the Renaissance basilica par excellence. The Old Sacristy is also the work of Brunelleschi, but here Donatello also worked.
The New Sacristy, however, is the work of Michelangelo, who created many wonderful statues for its walls, such as Dawn and Dusk.
The Princes’ Chapel, the monumental mausolaeum of the Medici Grand-Dukes, is a masterpiece of semi-precious stone inlay (commesso fiorentino).
The Dome which crowns the Prince’s Chapel, is the second in size in Florence. It was created to mirror Brunelleschi’s Dome at the Cathedral. Inside it is decorated with frescoes, and together with bright and colourful marbles and semi-precious stones of its walls that creates an impression difficult to reproduce in any photoghaph.
During this guided tour we visit first the Church of San Lorenzo, to see the most interesting pieces of art that decorate the basilica – the Old Sacresty by Brunelleschi, beautiful pulpits – the work of Donatello; the famous sarcofagus of Piero and Lorenzo de’ Medici – the work of Andrea del Verrocchio.
After the church we proceed to visit the Treasure of San Lorenzo – the room on the level of crypt, where some refined reliquarys and other objects are to be find. We will see unusual and symbolic tomb of Cosimo the Elder de’ Medici, and nearby – the tomb of his favorite sculptor, Donatello.
After visiting the Treasure of San Lorenzo, we take a look to the Laurentian Library. This fruit of the genius of Michelangelo is world-reknowned, and this visit will be interesting to all his admirers.
We finish the tour visiting the Medici Chapels, which consist of the Princes’ Capel and the New Sacristy. Here we will see not only the architecture but the sculptures of Michelangelo as well – the New Sacresty is decorated by his famous works.
Some useful tips:
- The San Lorenzo complex is not so crowded as Uffizi or Accademia Galleries, the lines usually are not longer that 5-10 minutes. It is not necessary to book the tickets in advance, though during the high season it’s reccomendable. I can book the tickets for Medici Chapels for you and your group, if you require.
- Usually this is half-day guided tour – 3 hours, standard rate is 165.00 euros. The tour can be tailored to fit your needs, timing and price migh vary due to your requests and due the monuments which are available.
- Dress-code to visit the church: just covered shoulders and knees. Visitors wearing mini-skirts or shorts are not admitted, but it is not necessary to cover your head.
Or see other guided tours I offer:
