Piazza San Lorenzo

Piazza San Lorenzo, not far from the Cathedral and Palazzo Medici Riccardi, is dominated by the bulk of the Basilica of San Lorenzo and, in the back-ground (the nearby piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini) by the Medici Chapels, with its massive dome.

The whole area is marked by the presence of the Medici family, not only by the equestrian statue of Cosimo I but also by the proximity of Palazzo Medici, the city residence of the most famous Florentine family.
The basilica itself was their church of choice

On the square, opposite the church, is an important scientific centre with roots in the past, the Osservatorio Ximeniano.
Also nearby is the Mercato Centrale or San Lorenzo Market, consisting of the 19th century building and a large number of outdoor stalls, which used to be located on this square but have now moved.

The whole area is very popular with tourists for shopping and dining