The Medici Chapels, part of the Basilica of San Lorenzo complex, are the lavish burial place of the Medici, the dynasty that ruled Florence and bankrolled the Renaissance. Two spaces stand out: the Chapel of the Princes, an enormous, somber dome encrusted with colored marble and semiprecious stone over the grand-ducal tombs; and the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo, which holds his celebrated tomb sculptures — the allegorical figures of Dawn, Dusk, Night, and Day reclining on the Medici sarcophagi. It's a powerful encounter with Medici power and Michelangelo's genius.
The Cappelle Medicee adjoin the Basilica of San Lorenzo — the Medici's parish church — and form the dynastic mausoleum of the family that dominated Florence for some three centuries. The visit centers on two very different but equally remarkable spaces.
The Chapel of the Princes (Cappella dei Principi) is a vast, octagonal domed chamber, begun in the early 17th century, lined floor to soaring ceiling in dark, richly colored marble and inlaid semiprecious stones (pietra dura) — an overwhelming, almost oppressive display of grand-ducal wealth, with the monumental tombs of the Medici grand dukes around its walls. The New Sacristy (Sagrestia Nuova), by contrast, is a serene, harmonious space designed by Michelangelo himself as both architect and sculptor. It holds his famous funerary monuments for two younger Medici, with the brooding allegorical nudes of Dawn and Dusk, and Night and Day, reclining on the curved sarcophagi — among the most studied and admired sculptures of the Renaissance.
Together they make a fascinating, manageable visit that pairs Medici dynastic ambition with one of Michelangelo's great sculptural achievements. It's typically less crowded than the Accademia or Uffizi. The chapels are part of the San Lorenzo complex (the basilica, with its Brunelleschi architecture and Old Sacristy, and the Laurentian Library are nearby and separately ticketed). It's a short walk from the Duomo, near the bustling San Lorenzo and Mercato Centrale market area. Allow about an hour; check current opening days, as schedules vary.
What to expect
The experience
Self-paced. The opulent Chapel of the Princes and Michelangelo's New Sacristy with his tomb sculptures, at the San Lorenzo complex. Check current opening days.
Best time
Mornings are calmest; it's generally less crowded than the top museums. Confirm opening days, as schedules vary.
How long
About an hour.
Tips
Don't miss Michelangelo's New Sacristy with the Dawn, Dusk, Night, and Day sculptures — the artistic highlight. The adjacent San Lorenzo basilica and Laurentian Library are separate sites if you want more. It's near the San Lorenzo market and Mercato Centrale, good for a food stop afterward. Check current opening days.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art and history lovers wanting Michelangelo's sculpture and a vivid sense of Medici power, without big crowds.
- Families
- A short, manageable visit; older kids interested in art and history engage with it.
- Couples
- A quieter, rewarding stop pairing Medici grandeur with Michelangelo's genius.
- Pair with
- The San Lorenzo basilica and the Mercato Centrale food market are right nearby; the Duomo is a short walk.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
What are the Medici Chapels?+
The lavish burial place of the Medici dynasty at the San Lorenzo complex — including the marble-encrusted Chapel of the Princes and Michelangelo's New Sacristy, which holds his famous tomb sculptures of Dawn, Dusk, Night, and Day.
What's the highlight?+
Michelangelo's New Sacristy, which he designed as both architect and sculptor, with the celebrated reclining allegorical figures on the Medici tombs — among the great sculptures of the Renaissance.
Is it the same as the San Lorenzo basilica?+
The chapels are part of the San Lorenzo complex but are a separate, ticketed site. The basilica itself (with Brunelleschi's architecture and the Old Sacristy) and the Laurentian Library are nearby and separately ticketed.
Is it crowded?+
Generally less so than the Accademia or Uffizi — a more relaxed visit. Mornings are calmest. Check current opening days, as schedules vary.
What's nearby?+
The San Lorenzo street market and the Mercato Centrale food hall are right beside it, and the Duomo is a short walk away.
