Fortezza da Basso is one of Florence’s most imposing Renaissance fortifications, built between 1534 and 1537 at the command of Alessandro de’ Medici. Designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane and Pier Francesco da Viterbo, the fortress was conceived both as a defensive stronghold and a powerful symbol of Medici authority. Its vast complex, covering around 80,000 square metresFirenze Fiera+1, forms an irregular pentagon of massive walls that once protected troops and sheltered rulers during unrest. Today, the fortress stands at the heart of Florence as a major venue for international fairs, exhibitions and cultural events, blending Renaissance military engineering with modern functionality. Walking through its monumental gates and expansive courtyards offers a striking encounter with Florence’s layered history, where past power structures now host contemporary creativity.
Florence ItalyFortezza da Basso is located at Viale Filippo Strozzi 1, in the northern part of Florence's historic center near the Santa Maria Novella train station. This massive Renaissance fortress, built in the 1530s by Alessandro de' Medici in an irregular pentagonal shape, now serves as a major exhibition and congress center hosting events like Pitti Immagine. Nearby lie the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella just a few minutes' walk south, the bustling Piazza della Stazione, and easy access to the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio further into the center, with the ancient Porta Faenza gate incorporated into its walls.
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