Church of San Lorenzo and Medici chapels in Italy, resort of Florence
Rating: 8,5/10 (1260 votes)  San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches in Florence. The Basilica was founded at the end of the 4th century. In the 11th century, the building underwent a series of renovations, during which it acquired the Romanesque style. In the 15th century, the church was reconstructed again. By order of Filippo Brunelleschi, the Old Sacristy was added to the temple. Soon, according to Michelangelo's project, the New Sacristy was added on the other side of the transept. The tomb of Giuliano and Lorenzo Medici was arranged in it. Leo the Ten commissioned Michelangelo's facing of the church, but the work was not even started. In the 17th century, the Chapel of Princes was added to the building. Next to the main altar of the cathedral is the tomb of Cosimo de Medici. Many works of art are kept within the walls of the basilica – pulpits and decorations of the old sacristy by Donatello, the Medici tombstones by Michelangelo, the sarcophagus of Giovanni and Piero Medici by Verrocchio. The Medici Chapels deserve special attention. The Chapel of Princes contains the tombs of almost all members of this great dynasty. In 1604, Matteo Nigetti was responsible for the design of the Princes' Chapel. The chapel was decorated with decorative marble elements and mosaics depicting the coats of arms of the cities of the Tuscan Duchy. The construction of the chapel was never completed. Almost all the niches of the chapel, which were intended for statues, are empty. There are only two statues of Casimo the Second Medici and Ferdinand the First. The chapel was painted in 1826 by the artist Pietro Benvenuti. In 1520, Michelangelo received an order from Giulio Medici to build a new tomb. Today the chapel houses four allegorical sculptures that symbolize the time of day. 'Morning' and `` Evening '' are on the sarcophagus of Lorenzo, `` Day '' and 'Night' – on the sarcophagus of Giuliano. Lorenzo the Magnificent himself was also buried in the chapel, along with his brother Giuliano. The Church of San Lorenzo, along with other attractions in the historic center of Florence, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. / p>   We also recommend reading Bell tower of Giotto in Italy, resort of Florence Topic: Church of San Lorenzo and Medici chapels in Italy, resort of Florence. |
