The Basilica of San Lorenzo, in the district of the same name near the historic market of San Lorenzo, was consecrated in 393 as the city cathedral to the martyr Lawrence.1
For 300 years San Lorenzo was the cathedral of Florence and in 1400 it became the main place of worship of the Medici, being in the same neighborhood where the family initially lived.
San Lorenzo will become the burial place of the Medici family and the first to be buried in the underground crypt is Cosimo 1. Since then, San Lorenzo will become the burial place of other Medici members, now located in its part behind the façade, or in what will become the Medici Chapels.
The façade of the Basilica remained unfinished in order to use every resource for the construction of the current Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Discover the first cathedral of Florence: book the guided tour!
Basilica San Lorenzo: the guided tour
The guided tour begins with a description of the exterior of the Basilica, focusing in particular on its façade that remained unfinished, despite the fact that Michelangelo had already prepared the project through a wooden model kept inside the artist’s house-museum.
We will continue the tour towards the interiors of the Basilica, in typical Brunelleschian style, therefore rigorous and linear thanks to the use of the regular module, both in plan and elevation, repeated in a rhythmic manner, creating a sense of rationality underlined by the architecture in pietra serena on white plaster.
The main altar is made of semi-precious stone inlay dating back to 1787.
Among the paintings of illustrious artists, such as Antonio del Pollaiolo and Ghirlandaio, there is the beautiful monument created by Giovanni Dupré in 1800 and dedicated to Berta Moltke Withfield Ferrari Corbelli.
Art, history and power: explore the mystery of the unfinished façade and the magnificence of the interior. Book your visit to the Basilica of San Lorenzo with Florenceforanyone.
