BIBLIOTECA MEDICEA LAURENZIANA
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Library that preserves an impressive collection of illuminated manuscripts and books accumulated by the Medici.
The Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana was founded by the Medici family. The books housed here are those collected from Cosimo de' Medici the Elder (1389-1464) and the various members of the family, in particular his nephew Lorenzo de' Medici, until it opened to the public in 1571. The splendid room, the work of Michelangelo, remains intact as it appears today. However, the library experienced all the vicissitudes of its founders. With the expulsion of the Medici family from Florence in 1494, the collection went through various vicissitudes: it was first taken to Rome by Cardinal John de Medici, the future Pope Leo X, then returned to Florence by Cardinal Julius de Medici, the future Pope Clement VII, who asked Michelangelo to work on building a home worthy of their collection. In 1571, the library, which contained over three thousand manuscripts, was opened to the public. Among the most important manuscripts are Virgil's ancient Laurentian Code (Plut. 39.1), dating from the 5th century AD, and the Amiatina Bible (7th-8th century), with rare examples of Anglo-Saxon miniatures.
Visiting point: access to the library is not easy! Access is by reservation only, for a maximum of 12 people per day. The library is closed to the public during the second and third weeks of August.
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