The part of church San Lorenzo called The Medici Chapels preserves the mortal remains of Medici family members is also the place, when you can admire one of the best of Michelangelo’s sculptures prepared for tombstones of two Medici princes: Lorenzo and Giuliano.The Miechelangelo masterpieces and so the tombstones are located in La Sagrestia Nuova ( the New Sacristy). Six other princes rest in Cappella dei Principi, while the grave of the founder of Medici family Cosimo il Vecchio is located in the separate crypt on the right side of the church.
In 1869 after some small necessary renovation these three places (La Sagrestia Nuova,Cappella dei Principi and Cosimo’s Crypt ) became the part of the new museum with separate entrance – Il Museo delle Cappelle Medicee.
The Crypt
The crypt is located underneath the Main Altar and for the centuries was the place, where the minor members of the family were buried.
At the end of of 18th century the new family became the rulers of Florence – the house of Lorraine.
The succeders of Medici also wanted to be buried at the same place, which then became known as the Lorena Crypt.
Besides of members of both families the crypt carries the grave of Cosimo il Vecchio and the tombstone of Donatello, who greatly contributed to the decoration of the whole San Lorenzo church.
The crypt itself can be closed for the visitors, and only inside of the church the simple stone plate near the Main Altar marks the position of the Crypt and the Cosimo’s grave.
Cappella dei Principi
The Mausoleo of Medici family is located behind the Main Altar in the chancel covered by the big dome by Buontalenti.
Although Medici didn’t save on money spent for the church decoration, the Chapel of Princes remain unfinished for centuries.
In 1604 Matteo Nigetti started the work on the marble interior, which has been finally completed only in 1962.
The chapel preserves the remains of six great Medici Dukes and members of their families. The most important tombstones ( the second and the third) are the work of Pietro and Fernando Tacca.
La Sagrestia Nuova
The New Sacristy, connected with the Chapel of Princes by the corridor, gets its name to make distinction from ‘the old’ one by Brunelesci and Donatello located on the opposite side of the Main Altar. The Sacristy has been built between 1520 and 1534 by Michelangelo, who also completed two of larger number of planned sarcophaguses: for Lorenzo Medici , duke of Urbino,
and Giuliano Medici, duke of Nemours.
The tombstone figures rappresent the Night, the Day, the Sunrise and Sunset, and they are considered to be ones of the best works of Michelangelo, especially the Night with the moon,an owl and a mask.
Il Museo delle Cappelle Medicee
Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini
Florence, Italy
phone: 055 238 86 02
Open:
Mon-Sun: 8.15-13.50
( IV-X: 8.15 – 16.50 )
Guides: donatello, florence, michelangelo
