Michelangelo's Tomb

Walking Tours of Florence

Tomb of Michelangelo

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Michelangelo died in Rome on February 18th, 1564 at the ripe old age of eighty-eight. Although he had spent the last thirty years of his life in the Eternal City, he always thought of himself as a Florentine and his heir and nephew, Lionardo, made sure that his uncle's body was brought back to Florence. After an elaborate funeral service in the church of San Lorenzo Michelangelo was interred in Santa Croce.

Michelangelo's tomb was designed by Giorgio Vasari (1511-74), who knew the great artist well. The three allegorical statues represent the arts in which Michelangelo excelled: painting, sculpture and architecture. The statues were carved by Giovanni Bandini (Architecture), Battista Lorenzi (Painting ) and Valerio Cioli (Sculpture). The bust atop the sarcophagus is the work of Battista Lorenzi, while the frescoes were painted by Giovanni Battista Naldini.

Michelangelo's tomb has recently been restored. 

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Tomb of Michelangelo (det.)