Fort Belvedere in Florence re-opened to the public
Fort Belvedere or to give it its full name The Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere was really designed as a fortress to protect the rulers of Florence – the Medici family – from any attempt to overthrow them by an unhappy (perhaps overtaxed?) populace.
Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici asked Bernardo Buontalenti to design him this fortress, complete with a secret passage from the family home in the Pitti Palace, which with it’s huge stone walls still looks like a well built fortress , but being at river level it was a lot less easy to defend.
The construction dates were between 1590 and 1595, so the works started just after the assassination of Henry III of France in 1589, which just might have made Ferdinand feel the uneasiness of a head that wears a crown.
He supported the heir – Henry IV of France in his struggles against the Catholic League but receiving little encouragement he changed sides and supported Philip III of Spain in his campaign in Algeria and the Holy Roman Emperor in his against the Turks.
Wars being expensive to fund Ferdinand found himself raising taxes through his subjects, …..and we all know how much Italians hate paying taxes …..which must have increased his unease, and so a fortification with a hidden access from the Boboli Gardens and strongbox treasury storage seemed prudent?
Notwithstanding the need to fortify the outside the villa inside the fortress was designed to be elegant and not military – it was built as a comfortable, luxurious palace, because although the Medici might have feared for their lives from time to time – they were confident about their domination of Florence.
This week , beginning 8th July 2013, the Fortress, including the Villa nestled within, has been opened to the public again – after 8 years of renewing safety features required following two fatal falls after it’s last re-opening in 2005.
It is a serious schlep to get to the top – so much so that when faced with this final climb to the ticket hall my friend Tina has rechristened me “the Stairmaster” – but she agreed it was worth the effort when we reached the Villa!
” Oh My! what a belle vedere!” (beautiful thing to see) there is of Florence from there!
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