Exploring Florentine Mosaic Secrets at the Medici Chapels Museum and Workshop
About this experience
The famous Medici dynasty has always been fascinated by semi-precious stones - in the 16th century, another pride of Florence emerged: a school where the technology of Florentine mosaic was developed and is still relevant today. In the Princes' Chapel and New Sacristy, I will tell you about valuable specimens, and in the workshop, you will observe the delicate process of creating items.
What to Expect
Creating perfection with nature
The tour will begin with a visit to the Princes' Chapel, where you will encounter an unparalleled example of stone mosaic realization. As you admire the walls of the magnificent chapel adorned with panels made of rare and semi-precious stones brought from all over the world, you will learn about the ambitious plans of the Medici dynasty to create a monument surpassing everything ever created in Florence. You will then proceed to the New Sacristy, built according to Michelangelo Buonarroti's design, where I will talk about the embodiment of the great genius' ideas in the creation of magnificent marble allegories - 'Day and Night', 'Dawn and Dusk'. In this unique museum, you will learn about three types of stone working techniques: sculpture, bas-relief, and inlay.
Where stone turns into art
You will also visit a craft workshop for Florentine mosaic, where you will touch the secrets of masters who still use traditional production methods to this day. Specially for you, they will demonstrate each stage of creating items from semi-precious stones, and you will see how thin stone slabs gradually assemble into an exquisite painted carpet. Examine closely the finished works - wall tapestries, countertops, and miniature jewelry, as well as a selection of semi-precious stones including jade, opal, rhodonite, lapis lazuli, malachite, amethyst, and also valuable ancient specimens.
Organizational Details
Tickets to the Medici Chapels Museum are not included in the tour price:
- Ticket price 8 € (rate may vary depending on temporary exhibitions);
- Free ticket for minors under 18 years;
- For groups of more than 5 people, headphones are provided (1.5€ - 3€, depending on the number of participants).
