What are the Medici Chapels?

The Medici Chapels, part of the Basilica of San Lorenzo complex, are among Florence’s most fascinating monuments. This extraordinary funerary complex celebrates the powerful Medici family, who played a central role in shaping Renaissance politics, culture, and art.

Opening Hours (updated)

The Medici Chapels generally follow this schedule:

Open: Wednesday to Monday, 8:15 am – 6:50 pm

Last admission: 40 minutes before closing

Closed: Tuesdays

Monthly closures:

1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday of the month

2nd and 4th Sunday of the month

Public holiday closures:

January 1

December 25

Free admission:

Every first Sunday of the month

History of the Medici Chapels

The Medici Chapels were built between the 16th and 17th centuries as the official mausoleum of the Medici family. In 1869, the complex was declared a national monument in recognition of its exceptional historical and artistic significance.

Main Areas of the Complex

The New Sacristy

Designed by Michelangelo between 1519 and 1534, it was commissioned by Medici popes Leo X and Clement VII. It houses celebrated sculptures such as Night, Day, Dawn, and Dusk, as well as the Madonna and Child.

The Chapel of the Princes

A monumental Baroque mausoleum begun in 1602, richly decorated with polychrome marble, semi-precious stones, and elaborate architectural details. Its grandeur reflects the Medici ambition for eternal legacy.

The Medici Crypt

The burial place of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, from Cosimo I to Gian Gastone, featuring tombs, reliquaries, and liturgical objects belonging to the family.

Highlights of the Visit

The Crypt

The first space along the itinerary. Austere and evocative, it contains tombs of lesser-known family members and showcases valuable 17th- and 18th-century reliquaries.

The Chapel of the Princes

An impressive octagonal hall adorned with marble, lapis lazuli, and pietre dure. The vast dome, frescoed by Pietro Benvenuti between 1828 and 1837, is one of the largest in Florence.

Michelangelo’s New Sacristy

The masterpiece of the complex, featuring:

The allegorical sculptures Day, Night, Dawn, and Dusk

The tombs of Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino, and Giuliano, Duke of Nemours

The Madonna and Child, flanked by Saints Cosmas and Damian, patrons of the Medici family

Michelangelo’s “Secret Room” (special visit)

A small chamber discovered recently, containing drawings attributed to Michelangelo. It is accessible only on special occasions and limited visits.

Why Visit the Medici Chapels?

They preserve some of Michelangelo’s most powerful and iconic sculptures

They represent one of Europe’s most important dynastic mausoleums

They offer a unique fusion of architecture, sculpture, and precious materials

They tell the story of the family that shaped modern Florence