Discover the rise, power, and legacy of the Medici dynasty, the family that shaped Florence and the Renaissance
Highlights
2-hour guided walking tour focused on the Medici family
Learn about the rise and power of the Medici dynasty
External visit of Palazzo Medici Riccardi
External explanation of the Basilica of San Lorenzo
Skip-the-line entrance to the Medici Chapels
Admire Michelangelo’s sculptures in the New Sacristy
Discover the history, art, and political influence of the Medici family
included with
English Speaking Professional Tour Guide
Monolingual Small Group Tour
2-hour walking tour with professional licensed guide focused on Medici Family
Skip-the-line ticket to the Medici Chapels with Michelangelo's Masterpieces
Guided visit inside the Medici Chapels
External Explanation of Palazzo Medici Riccardi and S. Lorenzo Church
Headsets
Essential
Information
Monolingual and small group tour
Comfortable shoes are recommended
Unfortunately this tour is not suitable for people in wheelchairs or with mobility difficulties
Detailed Description
The tour begins with an external visit of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the first official residence of the Medici family. Built in the 15th century, this imposing palace became the symbol of their growing political and financial power. Your guide will reveal how Cosimo the Elder commissioned the palace and how the architecture itself reflected the family’s strategy of calculated modesty and authority.
You will then continue to Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici family church and one of the oldest churches in Florence. From the outside, you will learn about its unfinished façade and its deep connection with the dynasty. San Lorenzo was not only a place of worship but also a powerful symbol of Medici influence over religious and civic life.
The tour culminates inside the extraordinary Medici Chapels, with skip-the-line tickets included.
Here, the Medici legacy reaches its artistic peak. The Chapels were conceived as a monumental mausoleum celebrating the grandeur of the family. Inside the New Sacristy, designed by Michelangelo, you will admire the breathtaking tombs of some of the most important Medici rulers, including the allegorical sculptures of Day, Night, Dawn, and Dusk - all sculpted by Michelangelo himself. Your guide will explain the symbolism, political messages, and artistic innovations behind these masterpieces, helping you fully appreciate Michelangelo’s genius and the Medici’s desire for eternal glory.
This tour is more than a walk through Florence — it is a journey into the rise of a dynasty that funded artists like Botticelli and Michelangelo, influenced popes and queens, and left an indelible mark on the cultural identity of the city.
Discover the Medici Legacy and understand why Florence cannot be told without telling their story
