Medici Chapels, Florence — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Medici family did not just rule Florence. They planned to dominate eternity. The Medici Chapels, attached to the Basilica di San Lorenzo, represent the most ambitious funerary project of the Renaissance, conceived to glorify the dynasty that shaped European art, politics, and culture. In 1520, Cardinal Giulio de Medici (the future Pope Clement VII) commissioned Michelangelo to design the New Sacristy, a space to house monuments honoring members of the family. Michelangelo created sculptural personifications of the four times of day: Dawn, Dusk, Day, and Night. These reclining figures, draped over curved sarcophagi, are among the most powerful sculptures ever made. But ambitious plans, the Medici's temporary exile in 1527, and Michelangelo's permanent departure for Rome in 1534 meant the sacristy was never fully completed to the artist's original vision. The Chapel of the Princes (Cappella dei Principi) came later, an opulent octagonal space dreamed up by Cosimo I de Medici and executed by his successors. Designed by Matteo Nigetti, it features a massive dome begun in 1604 that was not completed until the 20th century. The sheer ambition of the space, covered in semi-precious stones and rare marbles, leaves no doubt about the Medici's self-image. San Lorenzo served as the official Medici church and family mausoleum, housing the remains of most family members. Walking through the chapels, you can feel the extraordinary resources and artistic vision this family invested in their eternal commemoration. A Questo quest through Florence brings you face to face with the Medici legacy, connecting the chapels to the palaces, churches, and streets where this dynasty left its mark.