Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence), Florence (must see)
Amidst the lively atmosphere of Florence鈥檚 Central Market stands one of the city's oldest and most historically significant churches鈥擲an Lorenzo. Thought to have been founded in the late Roman era, it鈥檚 also the city鈥檚 largest basilica. While the rough, unfinished exterior may not draw immediate attention, the interior reveals the grandeur befitting the primary place of worship and final resting site for the powerful Medici dynasty.
The Medicis commissioned none other than the brilliant Brunelleschi to redesign the church in line with the modern Renaissance style. Meanwhile, Michelangelo was tasked with creating an elaborate marble fa莽ade. Unfortunately, the death of both Brunelleschi and Giovanni de鈥� Medici halted progress, leaving Michelangelo to bear the frustration of an unfulfilled vision. Still, he managed to design the internal fa莽ade, visible when you turn to look toward the main entrance from the nave.
Step through the church鈥檚 doors and you鈥檒l be surrounded by the elegance of Renaissance design: clean lines, grey-and-white columns, and marble detailing that leads to the altar, which marks the tomb of Florence鈥檚 first Medici ruler. Donatello鈥檚 final works, a pair of bronze pulpits, can be spotted along the central nave, and both he and Cosimo de鈥� Medici are interred in the crypt. Nearby, Michelangelo鈥檚 New Sacristy holds sculpted tombs with allegorical figures of Night and Day, Dusk and Dawn.
The adjacent Chapel of the Princes also impresses with its monumental dome and exquisite fresco arrangements鈥攁 grand expression of Medici power. Add in the cloisters, peaceful gardens, and the Laurentian Library鈥攁lso attributed to Michelangelo鈥攁nd you鈥檝e got a rare haven of art, architecture, and calm in the heart of Florence.
Tip: Keep in mind that each area has its own entrance, and separate admission is required鈥攗nless you have the Florence Card. Note that both the Chapel of the Princes and the New Sacristy close in the early afternoon, so plan accordingly. When you're done exploring, grab a table near the Central Market for a relaxed drink or bite and soak up the atmosphere of the square.
The Medicis commissioned none other than the brilliant Brunelleschi to redesign the church in line with the modern Renaissance style. Meanwhile, Michelangelo was tasked with creating an elaborate marble fa莽ade. Unfortunately, the death of both Brunelleschi and Giovanni de鈥� Medici halted progress, leaving Michelangelo to bear the frustration of an unfulfilled vision. Still, he managed to design the internal fa莽ade, visible when you turn to look toward the main entrance from the nave.
Step through the church鈥檚 doors and you鈥檒l be surrounded by the elegance of Renaissance design: clean lines, grey-and-white columns, and marble detailing that leads to the altar, which marks the tomb of Florence鈥檚 first Medici ruler. Donatello鈥檚 final works, a pair of bronze pulpits, can be spotted along the central nave, and both he and Cosimo de鈥� Medici are interred in the crypt. Nearby, Michelangelo鈥檚 New Sacristy holds sculpted tombs with allegorical figures of Night and Day, Dusk and Dawn.
The adjacent Chapel of the Princes also impresses with its monumental dome and exquisite fresco arrangements鈥攁 grand expression of Medici power. Add in the cloisters, peaceful gardens, and the Laurentian Library鈥攁lso attributed to Michelangelo鈥攁nd you鈥檝e got a rare haven of art, architecture, and calm in the heart of Florence.
Tip: Keep in mind that each area has its own entrance, and separate admission is required鈥攗nless you have the Florence Card. Note that both the Chapel of the Princes and the New Sacristy close in the early afternoon, so plan accordingly. When you're done exploring, grab a table near the Central Market for a relaxed drink or bite and soak up the atmosphere of the square.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence) on Map
Sight Name: Basilica di San Lorenzo (Basilica of St. Lawrence)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of the Arno River鈥攌nown as Oltrarno, or 鈥淏eyond the Arno鈥濃�攐ffers a quieter, more intimate side of Florence, but one that鈥檚 no less captivating. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l find the grand Pitti Palace, home to a painting collection rivaled only by the Uffizi Gallery, and the expansive Boboli Gardens, once the private domain of the Medici and later, the royal family. As one of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest 鈥� albeit also most controversial 鈥� of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities 鈥� including the banishing of several rivals 鈥� led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, 鈥淭he Divine Comedy鈥�, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Duomo Souvenir Shopping
It would be a pity to leave Florence without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. On this self-guided tour, we've compiled a list of shops and markets where you can find something unique to remember your Florentine visit.
Start at Central Market, which is not only a fun and colorful place to visit, but also the best place to stop for a meal.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Start at Central Market, which is not only a fun and colorful place to visit, but also the best place to stop for a meal.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence鈥攖he heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Top 13 Pubs in Florence
Florence, the city of art and beauty has no problem in mastering the art of the nightlife as well. Local pubs are very popular and appreciated among the Florentines and the tourists. Locals and native English speakers that study or live in the city cannot wait to welcome tourists in their cozy...
Florence's Tasty Coffee Shop Guide
The caffe scene throughout Italy is an important factor of everyday life. People will pop in to their favorite bar on their way to work for a quick espresso breakfast with a pastry, they鈥檒l grab a slice of pizza for lunch or drop by for an aperitivo before dining out and take a peaceful digestivo...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 15 Unique Products to Buy in Florence
Compared to other Italian "grands" like Rome, Venice, or Milan, Florence is relatively less-known to an outsider for any local products, save, perhaps, Florentine mosaics and Fiorentina FC. Fortunately, there are tonnes of locally-originated things that this Italian city is rightfully...