Hotels to remember: Medici Chapels
Hotel Roma
Firenze (Firenze) - 4 Star Hotels
Its luxurious decor and unbeatable location, overlooking the square and church of Santa Maria Novella, make Hotel Roma one of the most sought-after hotels in Florence.
Palazzo Tolomei
Firenze (Firenze) - Historical Residences
Palazzo Tolomei is an exclusive renaissance residence situated right in the middle of the historic center of Florence.
Grand Hotel Cavour
Firenze (Firenze) - 4 Star Hotels
A period palazzo, contemporary luxury and a view of the cathedral you'll never forget!
Hotel Londra
Firenze
Palazzo Tolomei
Firenze
Travel ideas
Itineraries (Florence) Itineraries
San Giovanni
A unique open air theatre, stage to some of the world's most impressive works of art
Medici Chapels: introduction
Within the monumental complex of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels are part of a project conceived in 1520, when Michelangelo started work on the New Sacristy of the Basilica di San Lorenzo. The Medici Chapels were commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de'Medici (who was to become Pope Clemente VII), as a mausoleum for certain members of the family, such as Lorenzo il Magnifico, Giuliano, Lorenzo, the Duke of Nemours and the Duke of Urbino.
The sculptures on the sarcophaguses in the chapels are of great importance. These sculptures portray the allegories of the "Dawn and the Sunset", the "Day and the Night" and the complex of the "Madonna and Child". A great number of interpretations exist concerning the elaborate symbolism within the structures; for example the tombs might refer to the liberation of the soul after death, a concept which could be linked to Michelangelo if one considers the what we know of his spirituality, whilst the statues on the sarcophagus are probably linked to the various phases of human life.
