Florence - Itineraries
SAN LORENZO
The tradition wants that the original church of San Lorenzo was built thanks to the donation of Giuliana, matron of Israeli origin. In 393 was consecrated cathedral from S. Ambrogio and it was dedicated to the martyr Lorenzo. Almost nothing of the primitive construction has arrived till today. The cathedral was rebuilt by the bishop Gherardo di Borgogna and consecrated in 1059. In 1418 the Medici family decided to do it its own temple. The project was entrusted at Brunelleschi that finished it in 1421. The Old vestry was completed before 1429. After the death of Brunelleschi, the church in 1461 was completed by Antonio Manetti, who changed some parts of the original project. The Basilica facade, in crude stone, is incomplete although there was for it a project of Michelangelo wanted and approved by the pope Lion X. The original wooden model of the facade is preserved today in "Buonarroti House".
The inner part of the church is divided in three naves that support round arches. To every arch of the central nave corresponds in the smaller naves a chapel, while the side naves are covered by ribbed vaults. The central nave is closed by a slow ceiling. The church results exceptional in good status although the nineteenth-century remakes. The Old Vestry is one of the first architectural accomplishment of Brunelleschi. It is dedicated to San Giovanni Evangelista and Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici wanted it as his chapel. On a square plant leans the hemispheric cupola. Restored between 1985 and 1989, it shows now the original colours of the fed up and of the friezes. Going out from the basilica and turning to the right, you enter the cloister, restored and broadened by Michelangelo. From the room of communication between the first chiostro of the complex and the church it is possible to reach the Library Medicea Laurenziana. Built by Michelangelo, it preserves the most prestigious collection of manuscripts in Italy. The famous staircase was made by the Ammannati in 1559 on a model of Michelangelo.
Visiting hours: from 9 to 13, closed on Sundays.
The inner part of the church is divided in three naves that support round arches. To every arch of the central nave corresponds in the smaller naves a chapel, while the side naves are covered by ribbed vaults. The central nave is closed by a slow ceiling. The church results exceptional in good status although the nineteenth-century remakes. The Old Vestry is one of the first architectural accomplishment of Brunelleschi. It is dedicated to San Giovanni Evangelista and Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici wanted it as his chapel. On a square plant leans the hemispheric cupola. Restored between 1985 and 1989, it shows now the original colours of the fed up and of the friezes. Going out from the basilica and turning to the right, you enter the cloister, restored and broadened by Michelangelo. From the room of communication between the first chiostro of the complex and the church it is possible to reach the Library Medicea Laurenziana. Built by Michelangelo, it preserves the most prestigious collection of manuscripts in Italy. The famous staircase was made by the Ammannati in 1559 on a model of Michelangelo.
Visiting hours: from 9 to 13, closed on Sundays.
