Cappelle Medicee — Attraction in Florence

During my visit to Italy in 2006, I had the extraordinary opportunity to delve into the rich history of the Medici family through a visit to the Cappelle Medicee in Florence. This exquisite mausoleum, dedicated to the Medici dynasty, provided an intimate and awe-inspiring glimpse into the lives and legacies of one of the most influential families in Italian history. From its intricate craftsmanship to its profound historical significance, the Cappelle Medicee left an indelible mark on my journey through Florence.

Upon entering the Cappelle Medicee, I was immediately struck by the magnificence of the architecture and the meticulous attention to detail. The mausoleum's design, attributed to Michelangelo, exuded a sense of grandeur and reverence. The opulent marble tombs, adorned with intricate sculptures and delicate reliefs, served as a testament to the Medici family's wealth and power, as well as their patronage of the arts.

The mausoleum's highlight was undoubtedly the New Sacristy, a masterpiece crafted by Michelangelo himself. As I gazed upon the grandeur of the Medici tombs, including the striking figures of "Day" and "Night," I was mesmerized by the artist's ability to infuse marble with such lifelike emotion and expression. The dramatic play of light and shadow enhanced the solemnity of the space, evoking a profound sense of awe and reverence.

The Cappelle Medicee provided not only a visual feast but also a fascinating insight into the history of the Medici family. The informative displays and explanatory panels shed light on the family's rise to power, their influence on Florence, and their enduring cultural legacy. It was a captivating journey through time, allowing me to better understand the impact of the Medici dynasty on the city and the world of art.

The atmosphere within the Cappelle Medicee was one of quiet contemplation and reverence. The mausoleum's relatively low number of visitors during my visit allowed for a more intimate and immersive experience. It was a privilege to explore the space at my own pace, absorbing the intricate details of the sculptures and reflecting upon the rich history encapsulated within the walls.

A visit to the Cappelle Medicee is an absolute must for anyone with an appreciation for art, history, and the cultural heritage of Florence. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the artistic genius of Michelangelo while immersing oneself in the fascinating narrative of the Medici family. The mausoleum's beauty, historical significance, and the profound sense of awe it inspires make it a true gem in the heart of Florence.

My visit to the Cappelle Medicee was an unforgettable journey through the legacy of the Medici family. It allowed me to connect with the rich tapestry of Florentine history, appreciate the artistic brilliance of Michelangelo, and gain a deeper understanding of the profound influence the Medici dynasty had on the city's cultural heritage. The Cappelle Medicee is a testament to the enduring power of art and history—an experience that deserves the...

The Medici Chapels (Italian: Cappelle medicee) are two chapels built between the 16th and 17th centuries as an extension to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, in the Italian city of Florence. They are the Sagrestia Nuova ('New Sacristy'), designed by Michelangelo, and the larger Cappella dei Principi ('Chapel of the Princes'), a collaboration between the Medici family and architects. The purpose of the chapels was to celebrate the Medici family, patrons of the church and Grand Dukes of Tuscany.

The Medici produced four popes of the Catholic Church—Pope Leo X (1513–1521), Pope Clement VII (1523–1534), Pope Pius IV (1559–1565)5] and Pope Leo XI (1605)—and two queens of France—Catherine de' Medici (1547–1559) and Marie de' Medici (1600–1610).[6] In 1532, the family acquired the hereditary title Duke of Florence. In 1569, the duchy was elevated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany after territorial expansion. The Medici ruled the Grand Duchy from its inception until 1737, with the death of Gian Gastone de' Medici. The grand duchy witnessed degrees of economic growth under the early grand dukes, but was bankrupt by the time of Cosimo III de' Medici (r. 1670–1723).

The Medicis' wealth and influence was initially derived from the textile trade guided by the wool guild of Florence, the Arte della Lana. Like other families ruling in Italian signorie, the Medici dominated their city's government, were able to bring Florence under their family's power, and created an environment in which art and humanism flourished. They and other families of Italy inspired the Italian Renaissance, such as the Visconti and Sforza in Milan, the Este in Ferrara, the Borgia and Della Rovere in Rome, and the Gonzaga in Mantua.

The Medici Bank, from when it was created in 1397 to its fall in 1494, was one of the most prosperous and respected institutions in Europe, and the Medici family was considered the wealthiest in Europe for a time. From this base, they acquired political power initially in Florence and later in wider Italy and Europe. They were among the earliest businesses to use the general ledger system of accounting through the development of the double-entry bookkeeping system for tracking credits and debits.

The Medici family have claimed to have funded the invention of the piano and opera,[78 financed the construction of Saint Peter's Basilica and Santa Maria del Fiore, and were patrons of Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Machiavelli, Galileo, and Francesco Redi, among many others in the arts and sciences. They were also protagonists of the counter-reformation, from the beginning of the reformation through the Council of Trent and the French wars...

The church itself is 15th century and designed by Brunelleschi. The Chapels have a separate entrance to the church. Entry is via the crypt (at street level) where numerous Medici are buried. There is currently a display of relics of various Saints in reliquaries. It seems several of the Medici collected them, one having 600.

The first chapel was the New Sacristy, built to balance the "old" Sacristy on the other side of San Lorenzo. It was intended to be the mausoleum for some the Medici. It was the first architectural work of Michelangelo (1519-24). It has a square floor plan, surmounted by a dome of pietra serena (grey sandstone) and whitewashed walls. Michelangelo also designed the magnificent funerary monuments of Lorenzo di Piero, (Duke of Urbino) and Giuliano di Lorenzo (Duke of Nemours), both of whom were relatively minor Medici. Their tombs have reclining sculptural figures of the four times of the day (Night and Day, Dusk and Dawn). There were to be four Medici tombs, but after Michelangelo was called away in 1534 those of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano were never begun. They were buried in a simple chest-shaped sarcophagus, which Vasari later adorned with three sculptures including Michelangelo's "Madonna and Child".

From the simple architectural elegance of the New Sacristy you pass into the multicoloured marble splendour of the Chapel of the Princes. It's big. It is octagonal in shape with a 59 metre high dome which is the external defining feature of the church as a whole. The walls and floor are covered in "pietre dure" (effectively multicoloured stone marquetry) . There are six huge porphyry and grey granite sarcophagi which are, in fact, cenotaphs (the Medici are all buried in the crypt). Above each there was meant to be a statue, however, there are only two. Part of the chapel is covered in scaffolding. In 1999 one of the keystones fell and they are slowly working to ensure that everything is stable and safe.

8€ entry was reasonable. Not crowded...