Churches: The Medici Chapel (Part 1 of 2)

The Medici family ruled Florence off and on for about 270 years.  During that time, the second Duke of Florence, Cosimo I, lobbied for being elevated to the level of Grand Duke of Tuscany.  In 1569, the Pope granted that favor.  Seven Grand Dukes ruled Tuscany in succession until 1737, when the last one died without a male heir.  

The Grand Dukes were considered princes worthy of  a grand chapel and mausoleum for their burial.  The Medici Chapel is the result.  It is attached to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, a church sponsored by the Medici family. 

We recently visited the Medici chapel with family friend Susan Farb Morris from Houston.  (Susan and Susan have known each other for 51 years, since they first became pen pals and started visiting each other).

The tour of the Medici Chapel took us to three important rooms--the chapel/mausoleum, the crypt below and the adjacent new sacristy.

The Crypt:  We entered the Medici Chapel via the crypt which is at street level.  In the well-lit crypt, we found the tombs of many members of the Medici family, including the Grand Dukes and their relatives.  In addition, we found a statue of the last Medici, Maria Teresa Luisa, an altar and a Medici family tree.

Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, the last Medici of the main branch 

The altar in the crypt of the Medici Chapel

The House of Medici family tree, with the seven Grand Dukes of Tuscany

The Chapel:  From the crypt, we ventured upstairs to the very large Medici Chapel, known as the Cappella dei Principi, or the Chapel of the Princes.  The chapel is overwhelming in its ornate finish and its size--both width and height (about 190' high). 

The dome of the chapel

One of the 8 panels of the chapel dome

A panoramic view of the chapel and some of the tombs of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany

One of the seven tombs in the Medici Chapel

An example of the fine marble work in the Medici Chapel

Raw materials used to decorate the Medici Chapel

A catalog of raw materials used in the Medici Chapel

The chapel has two vaults with rare artifacts, including the reliquary pictured below with a relic of the patron saint of Florence.

The New Sacristy:  From the Medici Chapel, we walked through a corridor to the New Sacristy of the Basilica of San Lorenzo. The New Sacristy is the only Florence building designed by Michelangelo with artwork by Michelangelo. 

Below is a description of the New Sacristy, followed by photos.

A photo of the crown atop the New Sacristy today

Next Up:  Relics, relics and more relics.