The Medici Chapel, also known as the New Sacristy, is a funerary chapel located within the complex of the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy. It was commissioned by the Medici family, a powerful dynasty of bankers and patrons of the arts, to be their private mausoleum.
The chapel was designed by Michelangelo, who worked on it intermittently from 1520 to 1534, and then again in the 1540s. It features a complex design, with two octagonal structures placed on top of one another. The lower level is a crypt, which houses the tombs of the Medici family members, while the upper level is a space for liturgical functions.
The interior of the chapel is richly decorated, with marble inlays, intricate carvings, and frescoes by various artists. The centerpiece of the chapel is the monumental tombs of Giuliano di Lorenzo de' Medici and Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici, also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent. The tombs are made of marble and feature allegorical figures representing the virtues of the deceased.
The Medici Chapel is considered one of the masterpieces of Renaissance architecture and sculpture. It is a testament to the power and influence of the Medici family, who played a major role in the cultural and artistic development of Florence during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, the chapel is open to the public and is a popular destination for tourists interested in art and history.