Concealed chambers unlocked: Michelangelo's secret room unveiled to the public in Italy
Subterranean treasure awaits as Italy unveils Michelangelo's hidden gem to the public Explore the secret room in Florence, adorned with charcoal sketches believed to be the master's work, now accessible for the first time Journey into this historic corridor of artistry!
Sign up for CNN Travel's Unlocking Italy newsletter to discover insider tips on Italy's most popular destinations and hidden gems for your ideal trip. Gain inspiration with movie recommendations, reading lists, and recipes from Stanley Tucci before your journey. Known for his renowned masterpieces, including the statue of David, the breathtaking frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, and the iconic dome of St. Peter's, which commands the Rome skyline.
The lesser grandiose masterpiece of Michelangelo Buonarroti is now showcased for the public's first viewing in the artist's secluded chamber, commonly known as the "secret room," situated beneath the Medici Chapels in Florence. This compact area lies beneath the church of San Lorenzo in the Sagrestia Nuova, where Michelangelo crafted intricate tombs for the Medici family.
During construction of a new exit for the venue in 1975, a restorer conducting cleaning experiments made an intriguing discovery. Beneath two layers of plaster in a coal-storage corridor underneath the sacristy, multiple drawings of human figures were found. The corridor, measuring 33 feet in length, 10 feet in width, and eight feet in height, was unexpectedly transformed into a narrow space of historical significance.
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The drawings, created with charcoal and sanguine (a rust-colored chalk or crayon), frequently layered on one another and varying in size, were credited to Michelangelo by Paolo Dal Poggetto, the previous head of the Medici Chapels.
The figures are believed to have been drawn by the maestro.
Michelangelo is believed to have concealed himself in a cramped space for several weeks in 1530. Pope Clement VII, a member of the Medici family who had regained control in Florence, had issued a death sentence against him. However, after two months, the sentence was lifted, and Michelangelo resumed his work in Florence. He later relocated to Rome four years later.
Its believed the drawings are sketches for future works, including the legs of one of the statues in the New Sacristy.
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"This place offers today's visitors a truly unique experience. Not only can they witness the maestro's creative process firsthand, but they can also glimpse the formation of his legendary status as a divine artist," commented Francesca de Luca, the curator of the Museum of the Medici Chapels. The restoration, as described by Paola D'Agostino, the director of the Bargello Museums, has been a meticulous and time-consuming endeavor."
Michelangelo is thought to have hidden in the space for two months in 1530.
Francesco Fantani/Courtesy Musei del Bargello
The space has previously not been regularly accessible to the public. However, starting from November 15, it will open for visits in limited numbers to ensure the preservation of the drawings. Only a maximum of 100 people will be allowed to visit per week, in groups of four. Visits, which last for 15 minutes, will occur every day except Tuesdays and Sundays. Please note that due to its location down a narrow staircase, the space is not accessible for visitors with disabilities or children under the age of 10.
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Tickets are priced at 20 euros or $21.30 and include entry to the site. Visitors are required to additionally cover the entry fee of 10 euros, along with a reservation charge of 3 euros. Reservations can be made until March 30, as the opening is on a trial basis.
