Forte Belvedere is the second largest fortress in Florence city! It began construction in 1590 under the guidance of architect Bernardo Buontalenti by order of the rich and powerful Medici family.
During the 16th century, Florence was flourishing and Forte Belvedere was a testament of that power and prosperity.
Choose from a range of vacation rentals in Florence, many close to the city where you can easily visit Forte Belvedere and the many other cultural attractions of the city
It’s located high up on a hill within the grounds of the Boboli gardens beside the Medici residence, the Pitti Palace. It overlooks the River Arno and was purposely built here to strengthen what was believed to have been one of the weak points of the walls that once entirely enveloped Florence.
During the 16th century, Florence was flourishing and Forte Belvedere was a testament of that power and prosperity.
Choose from a range of vacation rentals in Florence, many close to the city where you can easily visit Forte Belvedere and the many other cultural attractions of the city
It’s located high up on a hill within the grounds of the Boboli gardens beside the Medici residence, the Pitti Palace. It overlooks the River Arno and was purposely built here to strengthen what was believed to have been one of the weak points of the walls that once entirely enveloped Florence.
Visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the city from here as well as the evening and night skies. The famous mathematician and astronomer, Galileo Galilei even studied the stars and planets from Forte Belvedere!
The fortress is a grand mixture of Renaissance and military style architecture with sharply angled walls to maximise lookout views.
Forte Belvedere is connected to Palazzo Vecchio via the Vasari Corridor and underground passages to the Pitti Palace via the Boboli Gardens. Tourists can see what the fortress would have looked like in its glory days by visiting a fresco painted of it now on display in Palazzo Vecchio.
Forte Belvedere has undergone extensive renovations in recent years and is now open to the public to enjoy a tour around.
The fortress is a grand mixture of Renaissance and military style architecture with sharply angled walls to maximise lookout views.
Forte Belvedere is connected to Palazzo Vecchio via the Vasari Corridor and underground passages to the Pitti Palace via the Boboli Gardens. Tourists can see what the fortress would have looked like in its glory days by visiting a fresco painted of it now on display in Palazzo Vecchio.
Forte Belvedere has undergone extensive renovations in recent years and is now open to the public to enjoy a tour around.
Entry is only €5 and is open every day except Thursdays. Visitors will also be greeted with the sight of some unusual giant sculptures throughout the property as it is now a cultural site that hosts frequent local events and art exhibitions.
See the other grand castle of Florence called Fortress da Basso which was built earlier in 1534. It’s pentagonal in shape and like Forte Belvedere, was constructed to demonstrate Florence’s defensive power and dominance when it was once Italy’s capital city. Read about other attractions in Florence to visit like the Oltrarno side of the city and the Ponte Vecchio.
See the other grand castle of Florence called Fortress da Basso which was built earlier in 1534. It’s pentagonal in shape and like Forte Belvedere, was constructed to demonstrate Florence’s defensive power and dominance when it was once Italy’s capital city. Read about other attractions in Florence to visit like the Oltrarno side of the city and the Ponte Vecchio.
