Our next destination was Laurentian Library designed and built by Michelangelo. It is just one block away from Palazzo Medici Riccardi. JJ had been looking forward to see this after he saw the magnificent pictures of Michelangelo’s library online. Laurentian Library was commissioned by the Medici and holds the manuscripts and books owned by the Medici family. The library is an example of Mannerism in architecture, depicted by unexpected elements that broke the traditions of the Renaissance norms.
The library is adjacent to Basilica of San Lorenzo. Outside the library, it is Piazza San Lorenzo. In the middle of the piazza, you can find the statue named Monument to Giovanni della Bande Nere. The statue was commissioned by Cosimo I de Medici to pay tribute to his father, Lodovico de Medici also known as Giovanni delle Bande Nere.
The above photo is the courtyard of Michelangelo’s library and Basilica of San Lorenzo.
The handsome staircase leads to the reading room. It has Michelangelo’s traits of harmony and perfect balance all over.
The geometry shape of the staircase is interesting to look at.
That’s a closeup of the benches in the reading room.
There are two rows of benches.
A list of books assigned to that desk is on the side of the bench. The books used to be chained to the desk ready for scholars (500 years ago!). Now they are no longer in the reading room. You will find the books protected in the quarters downstairs.
The stained glass windows allow natural light to come through.
Check out the patterns of the marble floor.
It was Michelangelo’s intention that the marble staircase itself was presented as a sculpture rather than just a functional staircase.
You are looking at the vestibule, fancy word for lobby.
Take a look at the humble courtyard again. It is very quiet and blocks out the noise from the bustling Piazza San Lorenzo.
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