The Medici Family

Today we went to the Medici Gallery

 Museo delle Capelle Medicee

 Piazza Modonna degli Aldorbrandini 6

Firenze, Italia

The Medici family began in the 12th century in Florence, Italy. They were part of the Patrician Class and were seen as friends of the common peo

ple. Over time they became rich with banking and commerce and at the end of century one of the Medici's was gonfaliere (h

igh ceremonial office) 

By the time the 14th century rolled around the Medici family had grown quite popular and gained a lot of power. As time went on the Medici's wealth decreased but thanks to Giovanni di Bicci de'Medici he had made the Medici's into the wealthiest family in Italy, maybe even Europe. But the Medici's were more concerne

d about art than political power. Because of them Florence, Italy became the birthplace of the Renaissance. 

The things that interested us the most about the Medici Gallery would have to be the vases that held parts of the families body inside of it. Unlike what we do in the present, The Medici's believed that

 when someone died instead of burning the body for their ashes, you should remove a bone, or jaw, or some part and keep it in one of these beautifu

lly detailed vases. 

The vases ranged from two feet tall to maybe just a foot and were usually in gold or silver. Most of them had see-through boxes displaying the body part inside.  

THE MEDICI FAMILY TREE

if you would like to see the enlarged image, please go to:

http://www.lakesideschool.org/studentweb/worldhistory/renaissance/

images/MediciFamilyTree_000.gif

     Medici Chapel

Another intriguing part about the Medici Gallery was the Chapel. 

Because the building is being partially remodeled, due to aging and deterioration, there are some statues missing and construction equipment on one side. Even with the continuos shrill of the jackhammer echoing off the walls, there is still enough beauty to drown out the harsh sounds of modern day technology.