Medici Chapels

The Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee in Italian) belong to the complex of the Florentine Basilica of San Lorenzo, designed by Brunelleschi in the 15th century.

History and description

Built by Michelangelo and Buontalenti between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, they are the mausoleum and burial place of the Medici family.

The New Sacristy (Sacrestia Nuova) and the Chapel of the Princes (Cappella del Principi) are the main rooms of the museum, and are accessible by a separate entrance at the back of the church of San Lorenzo.

The New Sacristy

The New Sacristy – so named to distinguish it from the old one by Brunelleschi in the church (the other famous chapel designed by Brunelleschi and the Pazzi Chapel in Florence is located in the complex of Santa Croce) – was designed and built by Michelangelo from 1519 to house the tombs of Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici, which were decorated with his wonderful sculptures.

Lorenzo de' Medici tomb - Michelangelo's New Sacristy (Medici Chapels, Florence)
The New Sacristy by Michelangelo: the tomb of Lorenzo de’ Medici. Photo by Rabe! (cc by-sa 4.0)

The construction of this impressive building coincided with one of the most difficult periods in the history of Florence, marked by the expulsion of the Medici and the siege of the Republic of Florence (1530).

Before leaving Florence for Rome, where he plans to address the construction of the dome of St. Peter, Michelangelo created for the Medici Chapels some of his most beautiful sculptures: the four Parts of the Day (Dusk, Day, Dawn and Night) that are part of the funeral monuments of Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici, and the stunning Medici Madonna.

The Chapel of the Princes

The Chapel of the Princes with its crypt is the proper burial place of members of the Medici family.

Buontalenti embellished it with marble and precious stones, using the commesso fiorentino (Florentine mosaic) technique and creating a real jewel of Florentine architecture.

Here there are the tombs of Cosimo I de’ Medici (1389-1464), first lord of Florence and pater patriae, Grand Duke Cosimo II, Ferdinand I and his wife Christina of Lorraine, Giovanni delle Bande Nere, Prince Lorenzo and Cardinal Leopoldo, all prominent figures of Florentine history.

Address and map

 Medici Chapels Museum - Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 6 - 50123 Firenze (Italy)

Contacts

Medici Chapels Museum

Email: mn-bar.cappellemedicee@beniculturali.it
PEC: mbac-mn-bar@mailcert.beniculturali.it
Telephone: +39 055 064 9430

Opening hours

From Monday to Sunday, from 8.15 am to 2.00 pm

The ticket office closes at 1.20 pm

Monthly closing days: 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month; 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month
Other closing days: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day

Tickets

The new 2019 entrance ticket prices for the Medici Chapels Museum:

Full price: 9,00 €

Reduced price: 2,00 € (Italian and EU citizens aged 18 to 25 years)

Free admission: Italian and EU citizens under 6 years old; disabled people and their helpers; authorized tour guides and leaders; teachers accompanying school groups; Firenze Card owners.

NB – The cost of the tickets may vary during special events or thematic exhibitions.

Guided tours

Here two guided tours of the Medici Chapels provided by GetYourGuide:

Accommodation nearby

Discover the best Florentine hotels and b&b in the San Lorenzo quarter on Booking.com