Medici Chapel

This place is dedicated to the celebrated royal house of Medici. It is also a place where their bodies were put to rest.

The whole chapel is associated with the famous artist Michelangelo, who was in charge of designing the New Sacristy, sarcophagi and other features of the chapel. Although some of his sculptures were never finished because of his forced departure from the city, the ones that he did finish are all masterpieces of that time.

The crypt under the building is currently being examined by scientists and archaeologists to find out more about the intriguing history of the Medici family. So far, they have managed to find remains of an unknown infant, who was probably an illegitimate child of one of the family members.

On top of the Medici Chapel rests a 7-metre high lantern, which symbolizes death and afterlife.

This chapel is a must-visit if you are in Florence because it provides a priceless view into the history of this beautiful city. It can be visited as part of the Basilica of San Lorenzo.