BIBLIOTECA MEDICEA LAURENZIANA
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Library that preserves an impressive collection of illuminated manuscripts and books accumulated by the Medici.
The Laurentian Library, located in the San Lorenzo Monastery, was founded by Cosimo de' Medici, known as the Elder (1389-1464). A book lover, he never abandoned his books, even on business trips, and collected manuscripts of classical Greek and Latin authors, as did his nephew, Lorenzo the Magnificent. The splendid room, the work of Michelangelo, has remained intact to this day. However, the library experienced all the vicissitudes of its founders.
Thus, in 1495, when the Medici had to go into exile under pressure from Savonarola's followers, it was sold to the monks of the convent of San Marco. After the restoration of the Lordship, Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici, the future Pope Leo X, bought back the collection and transported the volumes to Rome. The books were returned to Florence by the will of another Medici pope, Clement VII, and Michelangelo was commissioned in 1522 to work on a new building to house them. In 1571, the library, which had over three thousand manuscripts, was opened to the public. Some manuscripts preserve the ancient code Virgilio Laurenziano, dated around 494 AD, and the Bibbia Amiatina (7th-8th centuries), with rare examples of Italo-Saxon illuminations.
Visiting point: it is not easy to access the library! Access is by reservation only, for a maximum of 12 people per day. And the place is closed to the public the second and third week of August.
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