Located behind the Medici Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Medici Chapels include two distinct structures. The older of the two is Michelangelo’s New Sacristy which he designed and built between 1519-1534. Then, in 1599, the large octagonal “Chapel of the Princes” was added as a burial space for the Medici Grand Dukes. While Michelangelo’s space was designed and decorated according to the principles of Renaissance architecture, the royal chapel displays a grandeur and opulence that is quite unusual for Florence. It is below the New Sacristy that the “secret” room where Michelangelo allegedly hid and doodled in 1530 is located. Buona visita!