Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels), Florence

Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels), Florence

This impressive complex encompasses the Chapel of the Princes ("Cappella dei Principi"), a mausoleum and chapel dedicated to the Medici family, which began construction in 1605 and engaged marble workers for several centuries. Additionally, it includes the New Sacristy ("Sagrestia Nuova"), designed by Michelangelo. The name distinguishes it from Brunelleschi's Old Sacristy ("Sagrestia Vecchia"), located in San Lorenzo. In 1520, Cardinal Giulio de' Medici, who later became Pope Clement VII, commissioned Michelangelo to create the New Sacristy as a new burial chapel for his cousins, while also intending to pay homage to his father, Giuliano, and his uncle, Lorenzo il Magnifico. The result was a masterpiece combining architecture and sculpture.

Architecturally, Michelangelo exhibited his characteristic originality and inventiveness in the New Sacristy. However, it is the commanding sculpted tombs that rightfully dominate the space. The tomb on the right features figures symbolizing Day and Night, while the tomb on the left showcases figures representing Dawn and Dusk. Above them, idealized sculptures of the two men are typically interpreted as representing the active life and the contemplative life. While these allegorical meanings add depth, the true impact lies in the powerful presence of the sculptural figures and their ability to captivate the viewer. The intensity and force with which they engage the viewer leave a lasting impression.

The magnificent octagonal Chapel of the Princes, crowned by an imposing 59-meter-tall dome, serves as a striking focal point of San Lorenzo when viewed from a distance. It occupies a central position within the church, akin to an apsidal chapel, and provides a grand entrance from the exterior via Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini. Access to the chapel is through a low vaulted crypt, carefully designed by Bernardo Buontalenti even before plans were formulated for the chapel above.

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Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels) on Map

Sight Name: Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious

Walking Tours in Florence, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

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Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

The “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of Europe’s most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with...  view more

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Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Michelangelo spent over 20 years of his life in Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance – during which time he created some of the most beautiful masterpieces the city had ever seen. The most famous of them – the David – was larger than life, and brought a larger-than-life image to the artist. No amount of photos or copies of the statue will do it justice, so to see it with your own...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour

Arno South Bank Walking Tour

The area south of Arno river, also called Oltrarno ("Beyond the Arno"), is a quieter place but not less interesting. Here you can find the Pitti Palace whose collection of paintings is second only to the Uffizi, and the vast Boboli Gardens once enjoyed by the Medici and the royal family. One of the first and most important examples of "Italian Gardens", they later served as...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour

Florence Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement for veteran soldiers. It was built initially in the style of an army garrison – with main streets intersecting at today's Piazza della Repubblica. The original name, Fluentia, stems from its location between the two rivers; later, it was renamed Florentia, which means “flowering” or “flourishing”.

The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.

Designed by...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour

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Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest – albeit also most controversial – of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities – including the banishing of several rivals – led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy”, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

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