Laurenzian Library

The Laurentian Library - the oldest library in Florence, named after Lorenzo de' Medici I and built by the great Michelangelo. Today this place is a state library, although tourists are more attracted here by the unusual history of this building and amazing architecture.

History of the Laurenzian Library

It all started in 1437, when one of Cosimo de' Medici's friends died. According to the will, the library of the deceased was transferred to the Medici family, who themselves had been collecting ancient manuscripts for a long time. So in 1444, there was not enough space in the luxurious mansion to accommodate all the folios, and the Medici partially transferred the books to the monastery of San Marco. It should be noted that this noble family ruled Florence for a long time and was considered one of the most influential and wealthy families of the XIV-XVII centuries.

After 50 years, a dramatic change of power took place in the city, as a result of which the Medici were forced to urgently leave Florence. They were able to restore the former status of the rulers of the city and all of Tuscany only in 1512, along the way, regaining all their property and a couple of territories of especially zealous conspirators and instructing Michelangelo to build a separate building to house the book collection. At this time, the great architect, artist, sculptor was working on the construction of the tomb of the family, but could not refuse a new proposal.

A few years later, a vestibule, a reading room and a room for storing manuscripts were erected. All construction was completed in 1571. Michelangelo himself did not live to see the opening of the Laurenzian library, so the completion of the construction work fell on the shoulders of other architects. However, this did not interfere with the external appearance and inner chambers: Michelangelo managed to draw up detailed plans for each room of this lovely bookstore.

What to see?

The building itself is a fine example of the late Renaissance, but the main marvels of the architectural masterpiece are located inside. The library's most notable feature was the charming vestibule, a high room of gray stone with twin columns. The main charm of the entrance area of the Laurenzian library is given by a magnificent marble staircase, pouring out with orinine steps. The master managed to embody the amazing optical effect of the flow of stone footings from the doors of the reading room and make unusual steps resembling turbulent flows of volcanic lava spreading in three streams. After such a dynamic staircase that rises steeply towards a walking person, the reading room seems to be a calm and protected area, hospitably providing capital carved music stands and cozy tables. The huge hall is decorated with charming carvings with the figure of a unicorn, chosen by the founder of the library, Cosimo Medici.

The Laurentian Library is the only creation of Michelangelo where the architect abandoned the use of his usual sculptural compositions, creating an unusual design using only architectural forms.

Today, Laurenziana's vaults contain more than 150,000 books, more than 10,000 old manuscripts and several thousand papyri from Ancient Egypt.