Parish church of the Medici is very interesting. The Medici Chapel where the Grand Dukes are buried is attached to the back of the Basillica, but has a separate ticket and entrance. The Medici Kapelle is very opulent and worth the visit.

The tickets were readily available in December and I did the right thing to go without pre-booking - you have to buy two separate tickets - one for the Basilica San Lorenzo and another one for the Cappella di Medici (the latter is a true gem of the San Lorenzo complex). I was almost alone in the solemn church and enjoyed the tranquil beauty of the Basilica di San Lorenzo’s cloisters with lovely orange trees. The crypt is also included in the ticket and this is where Cosimo de’Medici’s modest tomb is. The bronze and marble tomb of Giovanni and Piero de Medici designed by Andrea del Verrocchio are in the Sagrestia Vecchia of the Basilica. And the last works of Donatello, his two pulpits, dedicated to Christ’s Passion and to the Resurrection are also there.

I could barely hear the guide. We all had the volume to max and you could barely hear her. She didn’t know the best way to use the microphone. We kept telling her to put it in front of her mouth and even when she did. It was very hard to hear. They need better equipment specially when there are so many people visiting St. Peter.

The church has a very simple, unattractive facade and it’s interior is just average. However it is historic and rumored to be the oldest church in Florence and the parish church of the Medicis. Cosimo is buried there. There are some works by very famous artists including Donatello (pulpits, choir loft and sculptures) Brunelleschi’s Sacristy, and works by Bronzino, Lippi, Verrocchio et al. There is also a garden and cloisters attached. Admission is Euros 9. Quite high. Pls note that the marvelous Medici Chapel is another separate building albeit attached with another admission fee. The latter is preferred!

Forget the church and go straight to the Medici Chapel with all the famous and ornate Medici family tombs. Worth every penny of admission. If you like church interiors with lots of colored marble and gold embellishment throughout, you will not be disappointed. Even the floors are breathtaking. Also, don't miss the room filled with super-ornate relequaries behind glass cases. We spent at least 40 minutes studying all the details worked into each piece. They charge another admission for this area, but how often do you get to Florence to see Italian masterpieces?