his
fort was built on the orders of Ferdinando I in order to defend
both the city and his Palazzo Pitti residence. It was designed by
the architect Buontalenti, who was also responsible for the Palazzetto
residence, the essential elegance of which justifies its being considered
a villa. The Grand Duke lived there for some time during 1600 while
the plague epidemic was afflicting Florence.
From the walls of the fort there is a broad sweeping view of Florence
and the hills to the south, and there is no other point so close
to the city which has such an extensive view.
Until 1951 access to the fort was prohibited, but after extensive
restoration work it was opened to the public both as a site of tourist
interest and as a venue for special art exhibitions.
Its name was originally Forte di Santa Maria, but the Florentines
preferred to call it Forte Belvedere.
The fort has the rare distinction of never having been attacked
or having had to fire a shot in anger. There was a period when a
cannon shot was fired every day at twelve noon, which came to be
regarded by the Florentines as "il cannone delle pastasciutte"
the pasta-time cannon!
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