Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence

We wanted to visit since discovering that this was the church of the Medici’s. It is an impressive structure and the exterior does no justice to the interior. The facade was never finished hence the rough look. Donatello is buried here, and I believe Cosimo the Elder (under the altar). The cloisters are lovely and the crypts have a bit of history to show. Toilets are available for €1.00 which surprised me being that we had already paid €18.00 to visit. The staff is very friendly and helpful. An app with an audio guide is available, so bring your headphones with you.

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is a church in Florence, Italy, considered one of the city's most important religious and cultural landmarks. It was one of the first great basilicas in the city, and its construction began in the year 393 AD. The basilica has undergone several modifications over the centuries and is a notable example of Renaissance architecture. San Lorenzo is famous for its Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapels), which contain the tombs of several members of the powerful Medici family, including Lorenzo the Magnificent. The church also contains many works of art, including sculptures by Donatello and other Renaissance artists. Visitors to San Lorenzo can admire its simple yet elegant interior, as well as its impressive architectural details, including its stone columns and elegant stained glass windows. The basilica remains an important place of worship for the people of Florence and is a popular destination for tourists who come to admire its history and beauty

Brunelleschi's Old Sacristy is part of this San Lorenzo complex. Get your ticket to the left of the doors to the Basilica of San Lorenzo. The Medici Chapel (aka Chapel of the Princes) and the New Sacristy by Michelangelo are on another €9 ticket, separate from the San Lorenzo complex, which you can enter from the Medici Chapel. The Basilica of San Lorenzo was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1442 and was one of the very first Renaissance churches. Compared to the earlier Gothic and Romanesque styles, the geometry and proportions hewed closer to Greco-Roman Classical architecture. Similar to Brunelleschi's other works such as Santo Spirito, the interior is relatively minimal, with the emphasis on the columns and arches made of gray pietra serena stone. The Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo was built by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1440 and paid for by the Medici family, whose caught of arms of a yellow shield with 8 red balls can seen throughout the interior. The floor plan is a perfect square, the dome a perfect sphere, the archways half-circles. These simple geometric shapes were typical of Classical architecture, and the structure resembles an ancient Roman temple. The smaller dome above the altar is decorated with astrological depictions of star constellations. The arrangement of the constellations is accurate enough to date it to July 6, 1439, the date of the Council of Florence called by the Catholic Church.

Stunning church with a beautiful fresco and some interesting details inside. Probably more impressive internally than the main cathedral in Florence!

Mind blowing history. Beautiful art and architecture. Must visit.