Florence seen from the top of towers and fortresses. Throughout the summer, guided tours

Florentine towers, gates and fortresses can be visited by the public throughout the summer.

“This is a project in which the administration believes very much and which will make it possible to enhance a very rich cultural offer that is little known because it is outside the canonical circuits. Our intention is to maximize the value of our artistic and monumental heritage in addition to our museums, with the goal in the near future of creating a single ticket that will provide all visitors, especially citizens, with the possibility of having an integrated offer and facilitated access,” said Culture Councillor Tommaso Sacchi.

Since June 24, 2019, the Tower of San Niccolò, the“queen” of the Florentine towers, has been reopened to visitors, accessible every day until September 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. (from September 1 from 4 to 7 p.m.: access includes a guided tour, which allows visitors to reach the top of the tower by following a true journey through time and enjoying an incredible view of the city. This year, for the first time, it will be possible to admire from above the great work of restoration and recovery of the Poggi Ramps. Made between 1872 and 1876 as part of the plan to enlarge the old city boundaries, where the defensive walls once stood: walls of which the gate of San Niccolò is now a sign and testimony.

Visits to the other city towers and gates also began: the Mint Tower, Porta Romana, as well as the Baluardo San Giorgio. The Bulwark is part of the upgrade of the city’s defense system in the modern age, which was also necessary in Florence due to the advent of artillery and firearms. The visit to the Bastion is in collaboration with the Florentine Crossbowmen Company.

Also visitable are the two major city fortresses: the Fortezza San Giovanni, known as Fortezza da Basso, and the Fortezza San Giorgio, known as Forte di Belvedere. The design of Fortress San Giovanni was entrusted to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger: intended for a dual function of defense from external and internal enemies, the fortress still shows much of its original structure, which also incorporates the medieval Porta Faenza. During the visit it will be possible to better understand the architecture and defensive strategies, admire the city from the top of the keep and walk part of the underground patrol walkway.

For thefirst time ever, at Belvedere Fort, thanks to the guided tours, it will be possible to admire the treasure room: a cavern built near a deep well dug into the hill at the central building. A secret place where the Medici family treasure was kept. The crypt was even protected by death traps connected to the opening device.

Also, the Palazzo Vecchio Tower and the patrol walkway, open daily: the tower, attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, accompanied by the crenellated patrol walkway, is the completion of the first nucleus of the government palace, built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and was until recently closed to visitors. The 95-meter-high Arnolfo Tower towers over the city.

The initiative is curated by the Florentine Civic Museums and MUS.E and is part of the broad plan to enhance Florence’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visits to the Fortress of San Giovanni are possible thanks to Firenze Fiera.

All the towers, gates and fortresses will be accessible thanks to Unicoop Firenze, on some dedicated dates, with the “2x1” formula: by presenting your membership card with the purchase of a ticket-activity, you are entitled to free admission for a second person.

The full schedule of visits:

St. Nicholas Tower: Daily from June 24 to September 30. Visits every 30 minutes, daily from 5 to 7:30 pm. During the month of September visits from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Mint Tower: Saturday, July 13, Saturday, August 3, Saturday, September 14. Tours every 30 minutes: 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 noon, 12:30 p.m.

Porta Romana: Saturday, July 20, Saturday, Aug. 10, Saturday, Sept. 21. Tours every 30 minutes: 9:30 a.m., 10, 10:30 a.m., 11, 11:30 a.m., 12, 12:30 p.m.

Bastion at St. George’s: Saturday, July 27, Saturday, Aug. 24, Saturday, Sept. 28. Tours at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Fortezza da Basso: Saturday, July 6, Saturday, Aug. 31, Saturday, Sept. 7. Visits at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Fortress of Belvedere: every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Reservations are required.

For information and reservations call 055/2768224 - 055/2768558 or write to info@muse.comune.fi.it

www.musefirenze.it

Image: View of Fort Belvedere

Florence seen from the top of towers and fortresses. Throughout the summer, guided tours

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