Florence’s 2018 Historic Gate & Fort Visits

Keeping with tradition, the city of Florence is offering access to restricted towers, gates, and fortresses that the city will again open to the public well into the fall.

This year’s program features a range of buildings and monuments closed to the public during most of of the year. Many structures can be visited every day, whereas others open only on select dates.

Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling 055-2768224 or by sending an email to info@muse.comune.fi.it.

Admission to each landmark is €4 (except the Fortezza da Basso, which welcomes visitors at no charge), with free entrance for guests up to age 18 at all sites.

The Tower of San Niccolò is open daily to visitors. The gate is the only one in Florence to retain its original height thanks to its fortunate location behind the hill of San Miniato. Guided tours are offered in both English and Italian and run every half hour from 4 to 6:30 pm.

Porta Romana, a gate part of Florence’s medieval walls, is part of an architectural structure that has outlined the city since 1284. Access to Porta Romana is available once a month, on September 22 and October 27.  Visitation times are from 4 to 6:30 pm in September, and 3 to 5:30 pm in October.

Like Porta Romana, Torre delle Zecca utilizes the 13th century walls. For a time this tower hosted the workshop where the Florentine currency, the florin, was coined, in a process that utilized water from the Arno. Tickets to eastern Florence’s final defense tower on September 15, and October 20, with gradually earlier hours as the summer light wanes. September 15 offers entrance from 4 to 6:30 pm, October 20 starting at 3 pm to 5:30 pm.

Palazzo Vecchio’s tower, also known as the Tower of Arnolfo, is a city landmark soaring over 300 ft. (95m) into the skyline. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, the tallest part of the government building will open daily from 9 am to 9 pm, 9 am to 2 pm on Thursday. Usually closed to visitors, the tower offers both reduced and full-price tickets, at €8 and €10 respectively. The last guests will be allowed up the tower one hour before closing.

The Baluardo San Giorgio is a Renaissance era bastion added to Florence’s ancient walls, designed to boost the city’s defense system during the 1529-30 siege by Imperial and Spanish troops under the command of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.  On September 8 there are tours at 4, 5, and 6 pm, October 13 at 3, 4 and 5 pm.

Guided visits of Forte Belvedere are available every Saturday (4 and 5:30 pm) and Sunday (11 am and 12:30 pm) through October 31.  Tickets cost €4 for city residents and €5 for non-metropolitan residents.

The Fortezza da Basso (also known as the Fortezza di San Giovanni will be open Saturdays through September 29. Admission is free, although reservations are required. For the first time, guided tours are scheduled at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 am.

Given the success of previous years, it should be no surprise that Florentines have reacted strongly in favor of the city’s decision to reopen these monuments for the summer. In a city full of rich history, unique architecture, and beautiful views, the newly opened walls will allow curious minds to explore these unusual and limited sites, taking advantage of all Florence has to offer. (rosanna cirigliano & anna staropoli)