The Sagrestia Vecchia (Old Sacristy) of the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence

Sacristies are generally places you do not want to miss when you're touring an older European church. Generally speaking, while you may not get a look at the sacred vestments, these are still places of great interest, being more akin to chapels than mere dressing rooms, intended to service the prayerful preparations of the clergy.

The sagrestia vecchia, or old sacristy, of the Medici church of S. Lorenzo in Florence is certainly no exception to this rule, and while it may not be the most ornate European sacristy you will find, it is still more than certainly worth a look, not least of which because it is an important example of Renaissance architecture.

Built and decorated between the years 1419-1448, this is the original and older of the two sacristies found within this church. The sacristy was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the famed architect responsible for the great dome of the Duomo of Florence, and was funded by the powerful Medici family of Florence -- some of whom are also buried here. 

The design of the space is quite simple but impressive. Essentially it follows a rather Byzantine-inspired model, being a rectangular space, topped by a cupola with pendentives to join the dome to the walls of the sacristy.  

Located within these pendentives are various tondos (the circular medallions) containing images designed and executed by another artistic great of the period: Donatello.  These includes four scenes taken from the life of the Evangelist St. John. 

Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist by Donatello

Located around these are four further round reliefs, this time showcasing not only St. John but also the other three evangelists as well, St. Matthew, Mark and Luke.  These designs are especially classically 'Roman' and Greek in their feel, so I would invite you to take a closer look at their design and execution. 

St. Mark the Evangelist

As we proceed downward, we are also greeted by two larger sculptural reliefs to either end of the sacristy, framing the bishop's altar found within the sacristy. These portray four early Christian martyrs: Ss. Cosmas and Damian as well as Ss. Lawrence and Stephen. 

St. Stephen and St. Lawrence by Donatello, ca. 1434-1443

Detail of St. Lawrence

Ss. Cosmas and Damian

The reliefs of these four important early Christian martyrs have been beautifully framed by a Pompeian red border in which have been set classical amphorae vases and vegetal motifs. 

Within the centre of the sacristy is the large table in which the sacred vestments would have been originally laid out for the clergy in preparing for Mass. (Interestingly and somewhat uniquely, beneath is found the tomb of Giovanni di Bicci's and Piccarda Bueri.)

Around the sacristy are the various cabinets used to store the sacred vestments and other sacred vessels. These have been done in beautiful inlaid woodwork, containing various designs and well as the distinctive arms of the patrons, the Medici family -- which can also be found elsewhere throughout the sacristy. 

However, what really drew my attention to this sacristy is the beautiful altar and balustrade found here. 

The balustrade includes paleochristian inspired decorative amphorae from which proceed oak leaves. The entire arrangement is framed by a shell motif. 

The altar -- which would make a worthy main altar in most any church -- is also impressive, containing sculptural reliefs of four Old Testament prophets, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Ezekiel, as well as a beautiful Florentine image of the Madonna and Child. 

The Prophet Daniel

Madonna and Child

Above this altar is also a beautiful polychrome carved crucifix done by the artist Simone di Nanni Ferrucci.

Finally, I would point to two other distinctive elements we can find within the sacristy. The first is the splendid wash basin, attributed to the artist, Andrea del Verrocchio and the second is the beautiful and noble bust of Saint Lawrence that has been attributed to Desiderio da Settignano.

St. Lawrence by Desiderio da Settignano

This was a time when nothing was taken for granted, and a time when sacristies were not considered a merely 'utilitarian' space. By virtue of a combination of stonework and woodwork, what we are presented with is a noble space that would certainly be conducive in setting an appropriately prayerful and preparatory tone that the sacred liturgy surely demands.  

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