The origins of the church of San Lorenzo coincide with the origins of the Christian community in Florence. According to tradition, the early Basilica, which was the Cathedral of Florence at the time, was consecrated by St. Ambrogio in 393 and it was dedicated to Saint Lawrence the martyr. Nothing seems to remain from the initial construction; the imposing Basilica that we see today is the result of the radical renovation that was started in 1418 under the request of Giovanni di Bicci, forefather of the Medici family. Since then San Lorenzo has linked its history to that of the Medici's dynasty who ruled Florence and Tuscany for over three hundred years, witnessing the celebration of Medici weddings, baptisms and funerals and state ceremonies. In this complex, in the Medici Chapels, are buried the entire Medici family until the last descendant, Anna Maria Luisa.

The design of the church was commissioned to Brunelleschi and it is here that we can observe some of his purest architecture, especially in the Old Sacristy, the first space to be finished in the church. This mausoleum, the burial space of Giovanni di Bicci, was built using the fundamental shapes of a square and circle, connecting geometry to ideas of eternity. Essential in its white and pietra serena decoration, further decorations were added by Donatello. Also in the church of San Lorenzo, don’t miss the large fresco of the Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence by Bronzino (1565-9) and the dual pulpits by Donatello (1440s), as well as the many altarpieces that decorate the side altars, some as recent as the mid 20th century.Since then San Lorenzo has linked its history to that of the Medici's dynasty who led Florence and Tuscany for over three hundred years: inside the official church of the Medici family, the following have been celebrated: weddings, baptisms and funerals of its members, here the Medici attended great State ceremonies, buried all their deceased members until the last descendant, Anna Maria Luisa.