The Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of Florence’s oldest churches and a landmark of the early Renaissance. Consecrated in 393 and rebuilt in the fifteenth century, it served as the parish church of the Medici family. Its rough, unfinished façade is striking: Michelangelo designed a marble front for the church, but it was never built.
Inside, Brunelleschi’s architecture brings order and calm to the busy San Lorenzo district. Grey pietra serena columns stand against white plaster, while Donatello’s bronze pulpits add drama to the nave. The Old Sacristy, also designed by Brunelleschi and decorated with work by Donatello, is an important early example of Renaissance architecture. Nearby, the Laurentian Library and Medici Chapels extend the story with Michelangelo’s staircase and sculpted Medici tombs.
Visit in the morning for a quieter look at the interior, then explore the market streets or stop for lunch at Mercato Centrale. Dress modestly for this active church, and check opening times before you go: the basilica, library and Medici Chapels have separate schedules and admission arrangements. San Lorenzo is an easy walk from both the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella station.