Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes

Donatello, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and Nigetti combined their mastery to create the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels, and the Chapel of the Princes in Florence.

This list reads like a who’s who of Renaissance artists.

Photoblog, Florence, Italy, April 12-16, 2025

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Basilica of San Lorenzo

The Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence dates back to the fourth century. Six hundred years later, it was the parish church of the Medici family.

The Medici Pope Leo X gave Michelangelo the commission to design an outer façade of the The Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence) in white Carrara marble in 1518 but it was never completed. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Visiting Florence is a art lesson on the streets" — The Medici Pope Leo X commissioned Michelangelo to design the outer façade of the Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence) in white Carrara marble in 1518, but it was never completed.

The Medici family was one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Europe for several centuries. The Medici family established one of the most prosperous and respected institutions in Europe, and for a time, they were regarded as the wealthiest on the continent.

In 1401, the Medicis funded a rebuilding project (one of several undertaken over the previous centuries to the Basilica of San Lorenzo) and hired Filippo Brunelleschi to design the new church. Brunelleschi designed the building, and Donatello contributed to the decoration.

Michelangelo

Michelangelo designed and created the attached library and the steps leading to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, as well as designing the exterior. Michelangelo’s exterior design was never completed due to his work in Rome and the associated expenses. Michelangelo started the work on Saint Peters before the library was finished.

The Old and New Sacristy

Brunelleschi designed the attached sacristy (the place where the vestments and sacraments are kept). Michelangelo created a second sacristy; both were intended as mausoleums for the Medici family. Both the old and new sacristies are considered part of the Medici Chapels at the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

Michelangelo's sculptures on the tombs of Lorenzo de' Medici and Giuliano de' Medici is located in the New Sacristy created by Michelangelo in the Medici Chapels in Florence, Italy. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — Michelangelo’s sculptures on the tombs of Lorenzo de’ Medici and Giuliano de’ Medici are located in the New Sacristy, a creation of Michelangelo, within the Medici Chapels in Florence, Italy.

Chapel of the Princes

In 1604, construction began on the ornate Chapel of the Princes, designed by architect Nigetti and assisted by his former master, Buontalenti.

The Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence) is one of the largest and oldest churchs in Florence dating It is one of several churches that claim to be the oldest in Florence, dating from 393 AD. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Visiting Florence is a art lesson on the streets" — The Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence) is one of the largest and oldest churches in Florence. It is one of several churches that claim to be the oldest in Florence, dating back to 393 AD.

Together, they created a dome nearly rival to the Main dome of the Duomo Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence. Both were completed before Michaelangelo’s dome on Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 1640.

Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore is the main The Cathedral in Florence. Photo was taken from Piazzale Michelangelo. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Visiting Florence is a art lesson on the streets" — Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore is the main Cathedral in Florence. The photo was taken from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

The Chapel of the Princes and the sacristies were intended to serve as a mausoleum for the Grand Dukes of Tuscany (Medici) and their families.

Photos from the Chapel of the Princes

Chapel of the Princes at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence is floor to ceiling inlayed marble with precious stones. The Chapel of the Princes continued the flooring of semiprecious stone inlay was only completed in 1962. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — The Chapel of the Princes at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence is entirely inlaid with floor-to-ceiling marble and precious stones. The Chapel of the Princes’ flooring, featuring semiprecious stone inlay, was only completed in 1962.

Fresco of the Crucifixion fresco by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — Fresco of the Crucifixion fresco by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

Closer view of the Crucifixion fresco inside of the dome painted by Pietro Benvenuti shows mastery of light shining from above on the Crucifixion scene. When I first saw the light beam it looked to me like it was natural and not part of the painting. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — A closer view of the Crucifixion fresco inside the dome, painted by Pietro Benvenuti, shows mastery of light shining from above on the Crucifixion scene. When I first saw the light beam, it looked to me like it was natural and not part of the painting.

One of the secondary frescos at the very top of the dome painted by Pietro Benvenuti at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — One of the secondary frescos at the very top of the dome was painted by Pietro Benvenuti at the Chapel of the Princes at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

Fresco of the death of Able by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — Fresco of the death of Able by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

Fresco of the creation of Adam and Eve by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — Fresco of the creation of Adam and Eve by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

Fresco pf the last Judgment by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels and the Chapel of the Princes." — Fresco of the Last Judgment by Pietro Benvenuti inside the dome at the Chapel of the Princes at Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

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Basilica di San Lorenzo

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