Medici Chapels Tour
An alternative tour in Florence. Delve deeper into Florence’s past with a Medici Chapels Tour
Visit the Medici Chapels with an expert private guide
Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the sumptuous world of the Medici Chapels.
The Medici Chapels
Set within the glorious San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels are magnificent installations paying homage to the talent and ingenuity of the architecture and sculpture of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Highlights of the private visit to the Medici Chapels include:
- Explore the incredible history of this powerful Florentine family
- Visit the family’s private chapel
- Discover the mausoleum begun in 1605 and the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo
- See Michelangelo’s ‘Dawn and Dusk’ & ‘Day and Night’ works
- Gaze upon Michelangelo’s Lorenzo sculpture
Medici Chapels
The Medici Chapels, part of the 15th-century church of San Lorenzo (Basilica di San Lorenzo) are in Florence’s historic center. Here you will find 2 of Michelangelo’s famous masterpieces. The Medici chapels were built as mausoleums for the Medici family and include the New Sacristy and the Chapel of the Princes.
Interesting Discoveries about the Medici Chapels
The, once all-powerful, Medici family contracted Brunelleschi to design the basilica of San Lorenzo in the 1400s during the Renaissance. Today the Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee) are considered of great importance.
The New Sacristy
The New Sacristy has tombs designed and skillfully carved by Michelangelo. The sculptures depict reclining figures – Night & Day and Dawn & Dusk
Chapel of the Princes
The sumptuous Chapel of the Princes has colorful marble and semiprecious stones. It has carved niches, statues and armorial plaques.
The Medici Chapels are popular tourist attractions in Florence
Booking our Artviva Medici Chapels tour includes skip-the-line tickets to the chapels. Booking is essential if you want to avoid the sometimes long entrance lines.
Other Fun Things to Do in Florence
You may also like some of our other popular Florence sightseeing and walking tours as well as our shore excursions. You may also choose to visit and enjoy other great Florence highlights such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell ‘Accademia) and the grand Piazzale Michelangelo with stunning sunset views over Florence.
Useful things to know about visiting the Medici Chapels
Booked entry tickets to the Medici Chapel museum in the Basilica of San Lorenzo include entrance to both chapels and the crypts as well as the Basilica Treasury.
Wheelchair Access
There also is wheelchair access to the ground-floor crypts and both Medici chapels.
Dress Code
To enter the church of San Lorenzo, clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is required.
Bags
Large bag and backpacks must be left at the free coat check at the entrance.
How to Get to the Medici Chapels
The Medici Chapels (Basilica di San Lorenzo) are located on Piazza San Lorenzo. Entrance is behind the church, a few minutes’ walk north of the beautiful and grand Florence Cathedral-the Duomo and is east of Santa Maria Novella train station.
When is it best to visit the Medici Chapels?
If you want to avoid the crowds-It’s best to visit all the major museums and sites in Florence in the off season. In the winter months-particularly January and February, you will find less tourists.
Chapel Closed Days
If planning visiting the chapels on a Monday or Sunday-the chapels are closed every second and fourth Sunday and every first, third, and fifth Monday of every month.
The Life of the Medici Family in Florence
Continue experiencing the amazing wealth and power of the Medici family-catalysts of the Renaissance. Close by to the Medici Chapels is one of the important early bastions of Medici power and prestige-their 15th-century Medici Riccardi Palace.
The Medici Riccardi Palace
Once the sumptuous home of the first important Medici- Cosimo de’ Medici. Today the palace is a museum with splendidly furnished apartments, libraries and galleries. Must sees are the Galleria, with stunning baroque paintings and a ornately frescoed ceiling (Luca Giordano) and the mesmerizing small and beautiful Chapel of the Magi by Benozzo Gozzoli. Featuring portraits of the Medici family.
Address of the Medici Chapels
The Address of the Medici Chapels is : Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini 6, Florence 50123, Italy