Basilica di San Lorenzo-another treasure in Florence

Quattrocento:            Italian Renaissance Architecture

                                                Basilica di San Lorenzo di Firenze

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is located in Florence Italy.  It is one of the largest churches in Florence.  It is located at the center of Florence’s main market district.  It is the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III.

When it was consecrated in 393, it stood outside Florence’s walls.  For 300 years, it was Florence’s cathedral.  Later, the official seat of the bishop was transferred to Santa Reparata.  San Lorenzo was also the parish church of the Medici family.

Giovanni di Bicci de’Medici offered to finance a new church in 1419.  This would replace the 11^th century Romanesque church.

About 1450, Filippo Brunelleschi, architect, was commissioned to design the new building.  The new building with alterations was not finished until after Brunelleschi was dead.

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is considered a hallmark in the development of Italian Renaissance architecture.

The Basilica is in the same area as other important architectural works:  the old Sacristy by Brunelleschi, the Laurentian library by Michaelangelo, the new sacristy based on the designs of Michaelangelo and the Medici Chapels by Matteo Nigetti.