Medici Chapels: Skip The Line Ticket

The Basilica of San Lorenzo houses two opulent mausoleums known as the Medici Chapels, making it a significant stop on the Florence Renaissance itinerary. This site boasts three exquisite sculptures by Michelangelo and serves as the burial ground for 49 influential members of the Medici family. Avoid waiting in line and visit this magnificent Renaissance church.The Medici Chapels, also known as Cappelle medicee, represent a must-visit attraction located within the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, originating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Michelangelo's artistic talent has transformed this tomb dedicated to the Medici family (who were prominent supporters of the Renaissance and rulers of Tuscany) into a revered destination for art enthusiasts.

As soon as you enter, you will be greeted by a statue of Anna Maria Luisa de Medici, the final representative of the Medici family. She was the one who left the complete art collection of the Medici family to Florence, which included sculptures by Michelangelo. Her sole requirement was that it should always be accessible to the public for admiration. This is something we continue to appreciate even today.

The exceptional features of this place mainly consist of Michelangelo's Sagrestia Nuova, which signifies the beginning of his ventures into architecture. The pioneering style of this work foreshadows the daring choices he would later implement while contributing to the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

At the tombs, you can see three sculpture groups: Dawn and Dusk are on Lorenzo il Magnifico's sarcophagus; Night and Day adorn the sarcophagus of Lorenzo's son Giuliano; and there is an incomplete altarpiece depicting Madonna and Child.