From the outside, the Basilica of San Lorenzo appears unfinished. Behind the bare façade, however, lies one of the key works of the Florentine Renaissance: Brunelleschi’s architecture, Donatello’s decorations and the tomb of Cosimo de’ Medici, known as the Elder.

Please note before buying a ticket: you will find Michelangelo’s Medici tombs in the neighbouring Medici Chapels. They have a separate entrance, different opening hours and require a separate ticket.

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Admission: what to buy?

• Basilica – 9 eur: the price includes the church, Brunelleschi’s Old Sacristy, the cloister, the Museum of the Treasures and the underground chambers. Children under 12 enter free of charge; collect your free ticket at the basilica ticket office.
• Medici Chapels – 11 eur: entry to Michelangelo’s New Sacristy, the Chapel of the Princes and the crypt there. EU citizens aged 18–25 pay €2; those under 18 enter free of charge.
• Basilica and chapels – 20 eur: you need to buy two separate tickets. The Medici Library also requires a separate ticket.

Are you also planning to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery, the Bargello and Orsanmichele? A combined 72-hour ticket costs 42 eur, including the booking fee. Four individual tickets bought on the spot would cost 53 eur, so you’ll save 11 eur. The Basilica is not included in this combination.

Is advance booking required?

Not for the Basilica. You can buy a ticket directly at the ticket office for €9.

You don’t need to book a standard visit to the Medici Chapels either; a pre-selected time slot is available for an additional fee. Booking is only compulsory for the special tour of Michelangelo’s Secret Room in the chapels.

Opening hours

• Basilica: Monday–Saturday 10.00–17.30, last admission at 16.30. It is not open to the public on Sundays and religious holidays.
• Medici Chapels: Tuesday–Sunday 8.15 am–6.50 pm, last admission 40 minutes before closing. Closed on Mondays.

Visits to the basilica may be restricted due to church services; it is also closed on 1 and 6 January and 10 August. Please check the basilica’s calendar before you visit.

What’s worth seeing inside?

• The Old Sacristy: an early Renaissance space designed by Brunelleschi, featuring sculptural decorations by Donatello. The same architect is also famous for the dome of Florence Cathedral.
• The basilica’s crypt: the tomb of Cosimo the Elder and Donatello’s tombstone. The original text confused Cosimo the Elder with Cosimo I; the latter rests in the separate Medici Chapels.
• The Medici Chapels: Michelangelo’s sculptures of Night, Day, Dawn and Dusk by the tombs of the family members. You will need a second ticket to access these areas.

Why does the church look unfinished?

The first church on this site was consecrated as early as 393. The reconstruction for the Medici family was begun in the early 15th century by Giovanni di Bicci. Filippo Brunelleschi oversaw the construction until his death; it was completed in 1461.

Michelangelo later designed a marble façade, but it was never built. His other work can be found in the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel.

Where to stay nearby?

The Solo Experience Hotel is situated directly opposite the basilica. From this part of the city centre, you can also easily walk to the San Lorenzo market and the cathedral.

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