Basilica of San Lorenzo

The Church of San Lorenzo was founded in the 4th century and originally consecrated in 393 AD in honor of Saints Lawrence, Ambrose, and Zenobius. In the 11th century, it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style, expanded, and reconsecrated in 1059 by Pope Nicholas II. It became the burial place for the Medici family members starting in 1429. Reconstruction began in 1421 on the orders of Cosimo de Medici the Elder, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, and continued in the 1440s by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo. Michelangelo's plans for the facade, started in 1518, were never completed, leaving the church's facade unfinished and unclad to this day. According to some sources, Michelangelo could not agree with Leo Medici, who was Pope at the time, on the materials for the cladding. According to others, there was simply not enough funding for the architect's vision. Therefore, the church's lavish interior starkly contrasts its unadorned and somewhat austere exterior.

The basilica has three naves, a central and two side ones, which are square in plan. The naves are separated by Corinthian columns, which support semicircular arches via imposts.

The internal space of the church forms a Latin cross plan with a spacious transept at the intersection of the nave and transept, covered by a dome. The side walls are adorned with pilasters framing the vaults of the chapels.

The church's plain exterior emphasizes its rich interior. Here lie masterpieces officially recognized as works of art, including two bronze pulpits dated to 1460 and the Martelli family sarcophagus, created by Donatello. Donatello also created the reliefs and lunettes in the Old Sacristy, figurative doors, and cherubs that decorate the church and a starry sky depicting the stars' positions on the night of July 3-4, 1442. Noteworthy are also paintings like "The Annunciation to the Martelli" by Filippo Lippi, "The Nativity with Saints Julian and Francis" by Raffaellino del Garbo, and "The Betrothal of the Virgin" by Rosso Fiorentino, as well as frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Saint Lawrence by Bronzino. The Old Sacristy also features a balcony for displaying relics designed by Michelangelo. However, Michelangelo's main works are the New Sacristy and the Laurentian Library.

The Chapel of the Princes is known for its vast dome, the second largest in Florence, and for containing the coats of arms of the cities of the Tuscan Duchy. The chapel itself remains unfinished, with most of the niches for statues still empty.

The Old Sacristy, constructed by Brunelleschi between 1420-1428 in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, features a harmonious composition with a dome and elements made of dark stone. The interior is decorated with reliefs by Donatello and is distinguished by its elegance and color scheme.

The Chapel of the Princes, started in 1604 by order of Ferdinand I, is an octagonal hall with the city's second-largest dome, lined with marble and semi-precious stones. Statues of Ferdinand I and II adorn the niches, and the walls are decorated with the coats of arms of Tuscan cities.

The New Sacristy, commissioned by Giulio Medici in 1520, contains allegorical sculptures by Michelangelo, as well as the burials of Medici members, including Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano.

The Laurentian Library is yet another masterpiece by Michelangelo Buonarroti, located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Its construction took 10 years, and it opened in 1571. The brilliant master worked meticulously on every detail of the interior of the reading room and vestibule, and the steps of the main staircase resemble a flow of molten volcanic lava.

The Laurentian Library is known for its manuscripts and historical editions that belonged to the Medici family. Its collection consists of approximately 150,000 volumes, including over 11,000 manuscripts, 2,500 papyri, and especially valuable books, such as the Florentine Codex and a Bible written in the 8th century CE.