Basilica of San Lawrenz
The Basilica of San Lorenzo is considered one of the most ancient landmarks in Italy. It is also called St. Lawrence Church. An ancient temple with an unremarkable facade, located in the central square of Florenzoia, was the family church of the Medici dynasty. Here are the tombs of almost all representatives of the famous family, which considered St. Lawrence of Rome as its patron.
The church is also the resting place of many Florentine historians, artists and other famous figures. Despite the fact that the austere and gloomy building is not very impressive from the outside, its magnificent interior decoration and rich history will always attract the attention of archaeologists, historians and tourists. This is one of the most visited places in the world.
Architecture and interior of the Basilica of San Lorenzo
The current appearance of the basilica, in the early Renaissance style, was created in the 15th century by the outstanding architect Filippo Brunelleschi based on a 4th century temple. The plan of the church with three naves is formed by square bays and rectangular chapels. The austere structure with Corinthian columns, domes, round windows of the second tier and sail vaults represents the shape of a Latin cross. The facade was never completed; it looks simple, laconic and devoid of the usual decorations.
The interior space amazes with an elegant, airy interior full of richness and grace. Famous craftsmen worked on the basilica, decorating it with many works of art. One of the main masterpieces of the Basilica of San Lorenzo is the New Sacristy, made by the famous Michelangelo. In this chapel there are allegorical statues “Morning”, “Evening”, “Day”, “Night”, with which the sculptor decorated the sarcophagi of members of the Medici family. Michelangelo built the Laurentian Library, famous for its rare manuscripts, and the balcony for relics in the Old Sacristy.
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Another brilliant sculptor, Donatello, decorated the basilica with two pulpits with bronze reliefs, known as the “Cathedra of the Passion”. He also had a hand in the bas-reliefs in the Old Sacristy of Brunelleschi, elegant figured doors, bronze and stucco cherubs. Donatello created the marble sarcophagus of Martelli and the image of the starry sky of Florence.
The Chapel of the Princes is one of the most beautiful places in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, designed by Mateo Nigetti. The luxurious hall, which serves as the tomb of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, is decorated in marble with semi-precious stones and painted by the hand of Pietro Benvenuti. The chapel was not finished; of the eight niches, only two contain statues by Pietro Tacca.
The huge niches of the basilica are filled with paintings by great painters: “The Annunciation by Martelli” by Filippo Lippi, “St. Matthew” by Pietro Marchesini, “The Crucifixion” by Francesco Conti, “The Betrothal of Our Lady” by Rosso Fiorentino and many other masterpieces. A large fresco by Bronzino depicts scenes from the life of St. Lawrence himself.
History of the creation and reconstruction of the Basilica of San Lorenzo
The church in honor of Saints Lawrence and Zenobius was founded, according to legend, by Saint Ambrose in 393. In the 11th century, the building was rebuilt into a rectangular basilica in Romanesque style. In the 15th century, under the leadership of Giovanni Medici, the architect Brunelleschi began reconstruction. He began in 1421 with the construction of the Old Sacristy for the repose of representatives of the Medici family, then moved on to the construction of the main building, but did not finish the work due to the death of Giovanni.
After 20 years, construction resumed, Cosimo the Elder entrusted it to Michelozzo di Bartolomeo. In 1518, Leo de' Medici appointed Michelangelo to build the New Sacristy and chapel. The architect also created a design for the facade, which was not implemented. Under the leadership of Pope Clement VII in 1524, the Basilica of San Lorenzo was complemented by the Library of St. Lawrence, also created by Michelangelo.
