Florence Towers and Gates to Visit in August

Until September 30: GATES AND TOWERS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Some of the gates, towers and fortresses that call Florence home are once again welcoming visitors as part of a summer program encouraging exploration of the medieval structures.

Working to provide the public with opportunities to learn more about Florentine history and urban development, the seasonal monument visits are made possible by a collaboration between the municipality of Florence and Mus.e.

Porta San Frediano is a gate constructed between 1332 and 1334 located at Borgo San Frediano on what was once a route to Pisa and Western Tuscany. The gate itself once stood much higher but was lowered during the 16th century to better endure sieges and artillery attacks. Although summer visitations began the weekend of May 25, this testament to the city’s past will remain open until September 30 on Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 8 pm, with visits scheduled every 30 minutes.

Torre della Zecca and San Niccolò are located at Piazza Piave and Piazza Giuseppe Poggi, respectively. Torre della Zecca, or the Tower of the Old Mint, is a tower that originally came to fruition in 1284 and is now reminiscent of the city mint, which inhabited the tower after moving from Palazzo Vecchio to allow for the Loggia dei Signori to be raised in its place. Located across the river from the Torre della Zecca, the Torre di San Niccolò, or San Niccolò Tower, was built in 1324 to defend the Oltrarno neighborhood of Florence. Currently, San Niccolò is the only tower in the city to have not been lowered from its original height in a process called scapitozzata. Like the Porta San Frediano, these towers will be open until September 30 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 8 pm, with visits taking place every 30 minutes.

Gates, towers and fortresses are open to those ages 8 years or older. Visitors at Porta San Frediano, Torre della Zecca and San Niccolò must pay an entry fee of €6.  All locations are free to explore for Card del Fiorentino holders.

Reservations can be made by calling 055/2768224 or by sending an email to  info@musefirenze.it. More information can be found on the Mus.e website. (Kyla Pehr)