The royal history of the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence

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The Basilica San Lorenzo in Florence is situated in the heart of the city, near the main market. 
However the Basilica San Lorenzo was the parish church of the de' Medici family. So, let's take a look at the very interesting royal history of this amazing royal destination. It is surrounded by excellent restaurants with the nicest food and beverages.






Royal History

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest churches in Florence, originally consecrated in 393 AD. Over centuries, it underwent multiple reconstructions, with the most significant transformation beginning in 1419, under the direction of Filippo Brunelleschi, a pioneer of Renaissance architecture. 

Commissioned by Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici, the rebuilding of San Lorenzo marked the start of a centuries-long relationship between the church and the Medici family.

The Medici family, renowned patrons of art and politics, played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Basilica. Giovanni di Bicci’s contributionslaid the foundation, but it was Cosimo de' Medici ("Cosimo the Elder") who solidified San Lorenzo as the family’s church. 

Cosimo funded much of the interior decoration and ensured the church would house the family’s crypt. His influence turned San Lorenzo into not just a place of worship but also a symbol of Medici power and cultural patronage.









Michelangelo


Source picture: Wikipedia


In 1527 the citizens of Florence rebelled against the de' Medicis; Michelangelo supported them. 

After the Medicis recaptured the city in 1530, Pope Clement VII, a de' Medici, sentenced Michelangelo to death. It is thought that Michelangelo hid for two months in a small chamber under the de' Medici chapels in the Basilica of San Lorenzo with light from just a tiny window, making many charcoal and chalk drawings which remained hidden until the room was rediscovered in 1975, and opened to small numbers of visitors in 2023. 

Michelangelo was eventually pardoned by the Medicis and the death sentence lifted, so that he could complete work on the Sistine Chapel and the Medici family tomb. He left Florence for Rome in 1534.

A visit


We visited the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence in two parts. On Sunday we took a look at the wonderful Capella Medici and on Monday we visited the inside of the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Both were really fantastic!



Capella de Medici



As said before, the Basilica of San Lorenzo is located near some lovely restaurants, where you can try the nicest food of Florence. The city is known for its meat and the stews. 😋





We took the pictures of the Basilica San Lorenzo in
Florence in June 2024.
The portrait of Michelangelo is from Wikipedia.






de' Medici Chapel at the San Lorenzo Basilica








Location: Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

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