Contemporary Art, Concerts, and Cocktails: A Visit to Florence’s Forte Belvedere

One of the world’s epicenters for art, history, and culture, the city of Florence provides all visitors with a special window into the past. Simply walking down the narrow stone streets allows one to feel temporarily transported to the days of Michelangelo and Da Vinci.  Interested individuals, however, may take their time travel even further with outings to historic landmarks around the city. 

One such opportunity is a visit to Forte Belvedere (whose name fittingly means “Beautiful View”), Florence’s second largest fortress that was constructed in the 1590s by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici to defend the royal family against enemy forces. From late June to mid October, the landmark’s season is in full swing. From contemporary art exhibitions to live music, there is no shortage of enjoyment to be had at Forte Belvedere. 

Exhibitions 

An iconic artist currently on display at the museum is Tuscan sculptor, Marino Marini. Running until October 16, No Heroes curated by Sergio Risaliti, director of Museo Novecento, is open to the public. The show is the second part of the exhibition series, Drama: Four Acts. Before Marini, Belvedere welcomed artwork by contemporary artist Paolo Canevari in late June. The collection, God Year, is a mixed media installation critiquing the dissonance between modern religious beliefs, political ideologies, and our current state of world affairs. 

No Heroes is positioned in conversation with God Year. While Marini’s work predates that of Canevari, his pieces continue to evoke striking imagery of man’s relationship with power, violence, and industrial evolution. A recurring motif for which Marini is known for in his bronze sculptures is that of cavallo e cavaliere, a horse and its rider. This dynamic conveys similar messaging to the pieces of Canevari’s installation, the concept of searching for individual control in a world directed towards tragedy. 

Drama: Four Acts promises to be a thought provoking show, one that encourages viewers to engage with their own belief systems regarding the conditions of modern society. The exhibition can be visited Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. General admission is €8 for non-residents and €5 for students aged 18 to 25. Tickets are free for residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence and all guests under 18 years old. 

Concerts

In addition to modern art installations, Forte Belvedere is hosting a program of free live music on the fortress’s terrace. 

On Wednesday, September 2, the celebrated jazz duo, Petra Magoni and Mauro Ottolini will be taking the stage. On the following Wednesday, September 9, there will be a performance by Free Shot, a modern swing band from Genoa. The Friday of that same week, Tuscan singer-songwriter, Giulia Galliani will entertain listeners with a variety of alternative rock, pop, and folk songs. On September 23, Etna Calling, a project inspired by Sicilian oral tradition will be performed by folk duo Francesca Messina and Massimiliano Lo Sardo. Rounding out the month of music will be a concert by Tiziano Mazzoni in which the Florentine singer will reinterpret Bob Dylan’s greatest hits for an Italian audience. All the performances described above will take place at 7:30 pm as part of Belvedere’s series Forte in Musica.

Café

If visiting Forte Belvedere for an art exhibit or concert, then one should definitely spend some time in their beautiful Caffetteria Panoramica. From brunch in the late morning to aperitivo at sunset, it is open without reservation necessary Tuesday, 10 am to 8 pm, and Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 11 pm. Their menu offers a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and shareable plates. The outdoor seating puts guests at eye-level with the silhouette of Brunelleschi’s cupola, Giotto’s tower, and the cathedral of Santa Maria Novella making for an unforgettable view of the city skyline. 

Guided visits (only in Italian)

From summer to fall, Forte Belvedere also offers guided tours in Italian for visitors to explore the medieval military base. In addition to being strategic, the structure of the fortress is geometrically elegant with a beautiful renaissance villa protected by the defensive stone walls. It was designed by architect Bernardo Buontalenti, a student of Giorgio Vasari who was taken in by the Medici family after his parents drowned in the 1555 flood of the Arno River. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Buontalenti and Belvedere, the tours happen twice a day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 5 pm and 6:30 pm in August, 4 pm and 5:30 pm in September, and 3 pm and 4:30 pm in October. The entrance and activity fee is €8 for non-residents, €5 for students aged 18 to 25, and €4 for residents. All tickets include free entrance to the café and terrace. 

To learn more about Forte Belvedere’s upcoming events, visit belvederefirenze.it. To reserve tickets in advance, you can email info@musefirenze.it or call 055 0541450. 

(Francesca Negri)