| The Fortress “Da
Basso” was built from 1534 - 1537 on the orders of Alessandro
de' Medici, by Pier Francesco da Viterbo and Antonio da Sangallo
the Younger.
The pentagonal-shaped Fortezza di San Giovanni
Battista (Fortress of St John the Baptist – it takes its name
from the patron saint of the city) was built in a short space of
time and using great means. It was meant to be both a warning to
the Florentines, with its bulk filled with mighty ramparts, turrets
and patrol ways, and also to assure the governors of a refuge in
case of revolt. During the period in which Florence was capital
of Italy, the moats were filled in and the walls buried.
A large part of these structures was never used
and it remained military property until 1967. Since the restoration
works, which have not yet been completed, it is possible to see
some works, such as the 14th century Porta Faenza (Faenza Gate),
the ancient course of the Mugnone, a stream that flowed through
the city’s moats, the interior of the ‘Mastio’,
a kind of mini bastion invented by Antonio da Sangallo, and the
gunpowder magazine.
Now the Fortress “Da Basso” houses
the most important exhibitions of
Expo and is the location of numerous conventions, meetings, concerts
and national and international events.
See also: Florence
Walking Tour
See also: Florence
Guided Tours
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