Viale Filippo Strozzi 1 – Florence, Italy
www.firenzefiera.it/en
A unique location in the world – a Medicean fortress in the heart of Florence, combining Renaissance architecture masterpieces and state-of-the-art technologies. A complex of century-old and contemporary buildings, featuring different sizes and characteristics, where you can organise events and exhibitions without leaving anything to chance.
Called by all the Florentines Fortezza da Basso as opposed to Forte del Belvedere, the Fortress of Saint John the Baptist is a Renaissance fort with an overall surface of 80,000 square metres – of which 55,000 are roofed – built by architects Pier Francesco da Viterbo and Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane between 1534 and 1537 at the behest of Alessandro de’ Medici. Through this work, the Medicis wanted to create a defensive garrison after the Siege of Florence, but they also wanted to impress the Florentines with an imposing building.
Surrounded by massive walls tracing an irregular pentagon, the Fortezza da Basso includes the buildings built for military use in 16th century, the ones from 18th century following the advent of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, and the modern pavilions designed by Pierluigi Spadolini after converting the Fortezza to an exhibition center, in 1967.
Today, the Fortezza da Basso is part of the Florence Congress & Exhibition Center, a leading hub in Tuscany. Its privileged location and the charm of its venues, where Renaissance and contemporary architecture create a harmonious dialogue, make it a unique place within the global congress and exhibition sector.
