Guided tour of the Medici Chapels in Florence

The mighty Florentine family chose this place as their eternal resting place. A mausoleum destined to endure the centuries, reminding the world of the magnificence that the Medici family brought to the city of Florence.

Many skilled hands toiled to make the Medici Chapels and the Basilica of San Lorenzo the enormous and magnificent sacred place they remain today.

Outstanding artists who worked here include Michelangelo Buonarroti, who designed the New Sacristy, and Pietro Benvenuti, whose marvellous frescoes adorn the dome.

After meeting your tour guide in front of the entrance to the Medici Chapels, you’ll go inside the mausoleum to learn all the secrets, legends and intrigues surrounding the Medici family.

It is thanks to this extraordinary place that the famous Opificio delle Pietre Dure was founded. indeed, you can admire the work of this institution when you enter the Chapel of Princes.

The dome of this chapel is second only to Brunelleschi’s Dome at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Medicis wanted their family mausoleum to be visible from many miles away. They succeeded by covering their tomb with semi-precious stones, thus displaying to visitors the might and grandeur of the Medicis.

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track tour that allows you to fully appreciate Michelangelo’s art, this guided experience is for you.
You’ll get the chance to see a huge number of his sculptures. You’ll get a sense of his skill and mastery as you marvel at statues that are world famous and featured in all the history books.

What to expect:

The Crypt

This low-ceilinged chamber is the resting place of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany and several members of the Medici family. Your guide will take you on a discovery of relics and statues, most notably that of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, the last descendant of the Medici family.
You’ll learn about the achievements of this important historical figure, including the Family Pact.

Chapel of the Princes

This place will leave everyone speechless, whatever their age. The Medici family’s most magnificent and enduring physical monument. Imposing, extraordinary and with a beauty that has lasted through the centuries, the Chapel of the Princes perfectly conveys the might of the most famous Florentine family.
At first glance, the interior is mysterious and full of secrets. Your guide will help you unveil the secrets one by one, from the dome, exquisitely frescoed by Benvenuti, to the multi-coloured marbles that conceal the stories of the people who rest here.

The New Sacristy

One of the most outstanding architectural achievements is the New Sacristy, the crown jewel of this museum complex. The space is not large, but at first glance it seems fairly spacious. This chapel contains the tombs of two great figures in the history of the Medici family: Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano de Medici, who died during the Pazzi Conspiracy.
Here, at the behest of Pope Clement VII, Michelangelo had the opportunity to showcase his mastery in sculpture, producing a Madonna and Child whose unparalleled beauty will leave you spellbound.

Night and Day

Also in the New Sacristy, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the marvellous statues of Day and Night. You’ll get a close-up look at two of Michelangelo’s most beautiful statues, while your guide tells their story. The allegorical figure of Night is a woman with her head resting on her hand, shining brightly with reflected light; she is symmetrically contrasted with the allegory of Day, a man proudly raising his head to look at you and illuminate you as if he were the sun.

NB: All visitors will be screened by metal detectors on entry. Due to these security controls, there may be delays when entering the museum. Please do not bring bottles or liquids with you.