Medici Chapels: Skip The Line Ticket

The Medici Chapels, located within the Basilica of San Lorenzo, are an opulent mausoleum and a major landmark in Florence’s Renaissance history. Home to three stunning sculptures by Michelangelo, these chapels also serve as the final resting place for 49 members of the influential Medici family. Skip the queues and gain access to this magnificent Renaissance site.

The Medici Chapels (Cappelle Medicee) are two essential features of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. This mausoleum, designed for the Medici family—patrons of the Renaissance and Grand Dukes of Tuscany—has become a pilgrimage site for art enthusiasts, thanks to Michelangelo's remarkable contributions.

Inside, you’ll encounter a statue of Anna Maria Luisa de Medici, the last of the Medici lineage, who bequeathed the family’s entire art collection to Florence, including Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Her only stipulation was that the collection remain accessible to the public, a legacy we still enjoy today.

Key highlights include Michelangelo's Sagrestia Nuova, his initial foray into architecture, showcasing innovative designs that would later influence his work on St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The chapels feature three notable sculpture groups: Dawn and Dusk on the tomb of Lorenzo il Magnifico; Night and Day on the tomb of his son Giuliano; and the unfinished Madonna and Child altarpiece.