Are you planning an unforgettable trip to Florence? If so, you’ll want to learn about the glorious Basilica of San Lorenzo (and the adjoining Medici Chapels).

Now, there’s a lot to love about Florence. From the stunning works of art at the Uffizi Gallery to the lush greenery of the Boboli Gardens, the entire city is a feast for the eyes.

But to learn more about the city’s ecclesiastical and architectural history, you must visit the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is an iconic Florentine church with a history of over a thousand years. While it was technically consecrated in 393 CE as a dedication to Saint Ambrogio, it was renovated during the Romanesque period in 1059.

It’s situated right at the center of the city’s market district and was the city’s official cathedral until this status was transferred to Santa Reparata, now the Florence Duomo.

After it stood untouched for a few centuries, San Lorenzo became the parish church of the Medici family (led by Giovanni di Bicci de ‘Medici).

Giovanni commissioned Filippo Brunelleschi to rebuild and redesign the church in the 15th century. Unfortunately, inadequate funds slowed construction and meant the original design had to be rejigged. It was so slow that Brunelleschi died before he could complete it.

Believe it or not, the right-hand aisles of the chapel were still being built until the 1490’s and the facade was never completed. Despite the slow-moving construction period, the Medici family funded the entire reconstruction and paid for most of the artwork inside.

While the church’s exterior might not look overly inviting, the interior is marvellous. It’s an excellent example of ecclesiastical Renaissance architecture that incorporates classical elements like columns and arches.

The aisle columns feature smooth Roman shafts, while the pilasters incorporate fluted patterning you might find in traditional Greek architecture.

Brunelleschi wished to keep the structure mathematical to create perfect geometric proportions across the church. So, you’ll spot a series of squares and rectangles that line the ceilings and floors.

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for balustrades and polychromatic marble by the main altar. Striking Corinthian columns and round arches separate the aisles from the nave, which is bright white and covered by a coffered ceiling with rosettes.

The basilica is largely built from a grey sandstone called pietra serena (typical for most Renaissance buildings), which beautifully contrasts against the white plaster.

Of course, the church’s façade wasn’t meant to be incredibly bare and unfinished. When Brunelleschi died, Pope Leo X (who also happened to be a Medici) decided to hold a competition to design a glorious facade for the Basilica.

Michelangelo submitted plans for a facade in white Carrara marble in 1518 and constructed a striking wooden model showing the exact proportions of the façade. However due to a lack of money and change in trends it was never built.

You can see Michelangelo’s original wooden model in the Casa Buonarroti museum in Florence. It’s just 5 minutes from the Basilica di Santa Croce and I highly recommend checking it out.

While the entire church of San Lorenzo is striking, the Old Sacristy is a must-see. It’s loaded with decorative, sculptural details that the Italian sculptor Donatello designed.

The entrance door is incredibly intricate, and you’ll see bronze and polychrome stuccos and two arched reliefs above the altar doors. The decorations and sculptures depict the life of St. John, the Resurrection of Druisiana, and the Martyrdom of St. John (which is a Mannerist study of the human body).

If you look closely at the small dome above the altar, you’ll see astrological depictions of constellations.

Although the Old Sacristy is gorgeous, it’s also the burial place of Giovanni di Bicci, his wife Piccarda Boeri, and Piero the Gouty. You’ll see a funerary monument dedicated to Piero and Giovanni di Bicci (AKA: the sons of Cosimo il Vecchio) made from marble, serpentine, and bronze. The impressive monument is undoubtedly worth seeing.

Aside from the impressive structural design, stunning frescoes and statues line the walls of the chapels.

Among the best works of art are Filippo Lippi’s ‘Annunciation’ in the Martelli Chapel and a 1964 painting by Pietro Annigoni.

If you have more time, head to the San Lorenzo Cathedral Treasure Museum. It’s housed in medieval underground rooms and presents religious relics, works of art, and Renaissance and Baroque silver and gold pieces.

You’ll also find the Sacro Catino (otherwise known as the Holy Grail) among the priceless artwork. Said to be used by Christ during the Last Supper, this impressive emerald basin is worth queuing up for.

The Medici Chapels adjoin the Church of San Lorenzo and belong to the collection of the Bargello Museums. While physically connected, the Medici Chapel area is separate from the main church and combines three distinctive sections: the crypt, the Chapel of the Princes, and the New Sacristy.

Pope Leo X of the Medici family first conceived the idea of a family mausoleum in 1520 and appointed Michelangelo to begin working on the New Sacristy.

The pope wanted a dedicated burial spot for essential members of the Medici family, including Lorenzo the Magnificent, Lorenzo the Duke of Urbino, and Giuliano the Duke of Nemours.

The Crypt

When you go inside, the crypt is the first of four sections inside the Medici Chapel complex and contains the tombs of the Medici grand dukes and their families.

This includes Cosimo I, Giancarlo de’ Medici, and the last Medici heir, Anna Maria Luisa.

The Chapel of the Princes

Once you’ve seen the crypt, you’ll head through to the very lavish Cappella dei Principi.

This stunning room is well-regarded for its octagonal floor and monumental family tomb decorated with polychrome marble and semi-precious stones.

Along with six cenotaphs carved into the granite, you’ll also see an enormous dome designed by Buontalenti.

As you look around the mausoleum, check out the gilded bronze Sarcophagus of the Grand Dukes and the Coat of Arms of the Tuscany cities. The Coat of Arms combines mother of pearl, alabaster, lapis lazuli jasper, and coral to present a truly glorious work of art.

Oh, and don’t miss the hexagonal frescoes sprawled across the domes, which represent scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

If you head through the small rooms tucked to the sides of the Chapel of the Princes, you’ll find the Treasury. Here you’ll discover reliquaries like a rock crystal vase, a silver crozier owned by Pope Leo X, and priceless relics.

The New Sacristy

Once you’ve taken in the glory of the Treasury, finish your visit at the New Sacristy. This is the place to visit if you’re looking to admire the work of Michelangelo, who designed the chapel and the sculptures within it.

The two main monuments are dedicated to Giuliano de’Medici and Lorenzo de’Medici who died in 1516 and 1519 respectively.

Medici pope Leo X was Giuliano’s brother and Lorenzo’s uncle, and he was very upset by their deaths. He commissioned Michelangelo to create a chapel worthy of their status to remember them, and the artist did an excellent job.

While Giuliano’s tomb is adorned with statues to represent “Day” and “Night”, Lorenzo the Magnificent’s tomb doesn’t have the same monumental look. If you’re wondering why, it’s because Michelangelo didn’t finish the project as he moved to Rome in 1534. Giorgio Vasari completed the project layout in his absence.

This is also where you can visit the Secret Room of Michelangelo, recently rediscovered and thought to be where the artist hid out for a while.

If you plan to visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo, it’s usually open between 10:00AM and 5:30PM between Monday and Saturday. Be aware that the church closes every Sunday to visitors.

Holy mass is usually at 9:30AM and 6:00PM Monday through Saturday and at 9:30AM, 11:00AM, and 6:00PM Sundays. Confession runs between 4:30PM and 6:00PM on Friday and between 10:15AM and 11:15AM on Saturday.

It’s highly advisable to book tickets for the Basilica of San Lorenzo in advance as the queues can get long. If you’re worried about queuing, book a guided tour with skip-the-line access to ensure you can walk straight in.

Access to the Medici Chapels is separate and requires a separate ticket. Read our dedicated page to find out more about how to visit them.

For Catholic visitors who want to attend a mass, checking the calendar before your visit is a MUST. I’ve run through typical mass times in this article, but you’ll also want to confirm that access isn’t restricted before heading down.

The best time to visit the Basilica of San Lorenzo is early morning or the last hour before closing.

If you’re traveling from Mercato Centrale, it’s just a 3-minute walk down Via dell’Ariento and Via del Canto dei Nelli. From the Duomo, head along Via de Martelli and Via de’Gori until you hit the basilica.

It’s slightly further from attractions like the Pitti Palace but still within walking distance. Head across the Arno on Via de’ Guicciardini, and you’ll be at the basilica in around 15 minutes.

If you’d like to check out more of Florence’s nearby attractions, I recommend visiting:

• Mercato Centrale
• The Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
• Ponte Vecchio
• Palazzo Pitti
• The Boboli Gardens