Contenus masquer
1 Not to miss
2 Description of the Basilica
3 Historical Overview
4 Where San Lorenzo is located in Florence
5 Information, Tickets and Links

Located in the heart of Florence and near the Central Market Square, the San Lorenzo Basilica is one of the city’s most iconic churches and a central site in Medici history.
It combines Renaissance architecture with sumptuous interior decoration, including numerous chapels and works of art. It is also famous for the Medici family tombs and the works of Donatello and Brunelleschi.
San Lorenzo attracts visitors both for its architecture and artistic masterpieces as well as for its historical significance.

Not to miss

  • The choir and nave designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
  • The Medici Chapel with tombs sculpted by Michelangelo.
  • The Lorenzo Library and its monumental stairs designed by Michelangelo.
  • The works of Donatello, notably in the adjoining museum.
  • The cloister and sacristy, with Renaissance frescoes and sculptures.
Lippi’s Annunciation, San Lorenzo, Florence
Lippi’s Annunciation (left transept)
Marriage of the Virgin, Rosso Fiorentino, Florence
Marriage of the Virgin, Rosso Fiorentino (right nave)

Description of the Basilica

San Lorenzo features a sober and harmonious architecture, emblematic of the Florentine Renaissance. The façade, designed but never completed by Michelangelo, remains simple and contrasts with the rich interior.
The central nave, flanked by spacious aisles, is illuminated by large rectangular windows, creating a bright and airy space.
The high altar is framed by classical columns and highlights the frescoes and sculpted decorations that adorn the chapels.
The Medici Chapel, designed by Michelangelo, houses the monumental tombs of family members, with allegorical figures representing Day, Night, Twilight, and Dawn. The floors and pavements are made of polychrome marble, typical of Florentine art.
The Old Sacristy, arranged by Brunelleschi, contains frescoes by Donatello and sculptures that reflect the evolution of Renaissance style.
The cloister, adjacent to the church, provides a quiet space, with elegant arches and a central garden.
The museum attached exhibits sculptures and liturgical relics, complementing the visit. The side chapels reveal richly decorated altarpieces, frescoes, and altars, while the Laurentian Library, with its monumental staircases, illustrates Michelangelo’s architectural genius.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Historical Overview

The Basilica of San Lorenzo was one of the first churches in Florence to adopt a Renaissance style, thanks to Filippo Brunelleschi who built the nave and the sacristy in the 15th century. It served as the main chapel for the Medici family, thus becoming a site of political and religious prestige. Over the centuries, Michelangelo contributed to its decoration with the Medici Chapel and the Laurentian Library. The basilica underwent several phases of expansion and renovation, incorporating works by Donatello and numerous Florentine artists. San Lorenzo remains a symbol of Medici patronage and the cultural flourishing of Florence during the Renaissance.

Where San Lorenzo is located in Florence

Travelers' Map is loading...
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.

Information, Tickets and Links

Tickets and Museum Passes

Powered by GetYourGuide

Further Reading Links

Florence Category Articles