Medici Chapels

Wednesday afternoon we went to the Medici Chapels. They are attached to the Basilica of San Lorenzo and were created to celebrate the Medici family, patrons of Florence. The more famous is the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo. The larger one is the Chapel of the Princes.

The Chapel of the Princes indeed was a large space, designed by Brunelleschi. The surrounding walls of the octagon contain tombs of various members of the Medici family. Only a few have statues above. It is inlaid with colored marbles and semi-precious stones, and is very beautiful.

The dome is 59 meters tall with paintings near the top.

Below is a close-up of part of the wall, showing inlays. It reminded me of the Taj Mahal, although a very different style.

Before ascending to the chapel, there was an enormous display of reliquaries, collected by various family members. They were displayed in glass cases. The majority had visible bones or other body parts of various saints. Most were made of gold and silver, finely worked. The photo below is just one of many.

The New Sacristy is connected to the Chapel of the Princes. This is where some of Michelangelo's most famous statues are installed. Although intended to be the tomb of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano, it was not finished and the tombs are of later, lesser Medici.

The room is quite plain, with whitewashed walls and an undecorated dome. The four statues are larger than life and show Michelangelo's sculpturing genius.

Night and Day

Dusk and Dawn