Forte di Belvedere — Attraction in Florence

The Forte di Belvedere or Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere (often called simply Belvedere) is a fortification in Florence, Italy.

Forte Belvedere is the second and largest fortress to be built in Florence, Italy.

It was designed and built by Bernardo Buontalenti over a five-year period, between 1590 and 1595, by order of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici.

Fortifications were significant in the 16th century and a demonstration of a city's wealth and capabilities.

The fortress is located in the southern hills of the Arno River and on the highest hill of the Boboli Gardens. It had long been considered one of the weakest spots in the city's defenses, a sensation that only increased with the invention of artillery in the early modern era. From a military point of view, the fortress is located at the most strategic point, overlooking almost the entire city and surrounding area. Due to the nature of Renaissance warfare, forts were paramount in a city's defensive strategy.

The Fort served several purposes. Most importantly it was designed to protect the centre of government in Florence and the Medici family if the city came under attack. It was also constructed to protect the Pitti Palace, Oltrarno district and south end of the city. In addition to this, the fort served as a garrison for troops for over 100 years after its completion.

Galileo Galilei used Forte Belvedere for his astronomical observations and after he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1633, he lived not far from the fort in Villa Arcetri.

The design of the fort reflects both Italian Renaissance and military architecture.

Buontalenti's application of contemporary fortification principles is evident throughout the design. The walls are built at angles that allow for all the walls to be seen by another wall, allowing for cross fire to assist in protecting the other walls.

The fort was connected to the Palazzo Vecchio via the Vasari Corridor. There were also passages connecting it to the Pitti Palace and paths leading through the Boboli Gardens.

Frescos seen in the Palazzo Vecchio show an earlier version of the fort, built of earth and stone gabions.

The design of the fort demonstrated the power and prestige of the Medici Family.

The opulent villa at the centre of the fortress, Palazzina di Belvedere, predates the fort and was designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati around 1570.[14] As the fort's secondary purpose was to house the Grand Duke in times of unrest or epidemic, it was built as a comfortable, luxurious palace. It did not adhere to military purposes, housing the Medici family's treasures in the bottom of a well inside the building.

Today the Forte di Belvedere constitutes a monumental, historic, artistic and environmental focal point, offering visitors sweeping views of Florence and an insight to Renaissance architecture and military activity.

After five years of renovation to improve its safety features, the fort reopened to visitors in July 2013.

It serves primarily as a tourist attraction and exhibition centre, hosting elite events and artistic exhibitions year round.

On May 24, 2014, celebrity couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West paid €300,000 to hire the fort as the venue for their...

Not worth even €3 admission fee. The place has nothing to offer other than a great view of Florence, which is better and free at piazzale michelangelo. Going to this place needs a long hike. The worst part about it are the 100 employee (blackshirts) that stand at every corner of the fort. Fact is they have more of these guards then actual visitors there.

Guards do nothing but impose Insane rules -

They have good views but you cannot use a selfie stick.

You cannot put your bottle on the side on the vast open ground if you are taking a picture.

You can go to top floor but you cannot enjoy the city view from the window for more than 5 minutes, even though there is no other visitor waiting behind you. They will ask you to move.

You can stand in the open ground as long as you want, but the employees will come and stare you as if you are doing something wrong.

You cannot put your hand on any of the walls of this big fort.

Art exhibition is no art for most part, I don’t see simple crayon drawings of 80s as real art or some random objects without any explanation as scientific triumphs.

Cafe there is waste, poor quality and high priced. Better places to eat and drink around in Florence.

AVOID THIS PLACE and GO TO PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO twice instead - once in day and later at night to enjoy great views...

More ‘guards’ then a James Bond villains secret base! Found the fort on google maps and thought we’d visit as it’s free! After walking up the hilly road we arrived and we’re given tickets, which we didn’t understand as it’s free to get in and nobody checks them as they give them at the entrance anyway! The main building has a very strange art expo in that didn’t really appeal to us.. the outside has some more strange art.. what is amazing about this place is the view!! All the people up on the hill at sunset trying to get a selfie when this place is empty and has a fantastic view of the city.. what I can’t understand is the 15 James Bond style staff/guards patrolling the place.. you don’t even get that many at a large museum and the fort is basically empty… I assume there’s a big funding grant from somewhere. What would be nice is the main building and grounds being used for history rather then some...