Famous Forte Belvedere, an impressive fort designed in the 16th century by  Bernardo Buontalenti for Grand Duke Ferdinando I with the additional purpose of protecting nearby Palazzo Pitti and the Medici family rule {you can also see the Medici family coat of arms above the main doorway}.  I have always heard about this place for its impressive panoramic views of the city but until very recently it was closed after two deaths in the fort. Something tells me its the mystery surrounding those two tragedies just as much as the fort itself that makes this one very interesting place for locals and tourists alike.

Truth be told there IS something a bit eery about this place. I can’t really explain it but perhaps something or better yet someone,  haunting the place. We could see the fortress as the protagnist to future horror movies.

Yesterday I finally got the chance to check this place out myself with my friends, Yasmine and Svebor, and with the help of smartphones, we found it fairly easily. From Ponte alle Grazie you can expect a 10-15 {uphill} walk along the street, Costa San Giorgio. 5 euros to enter, we almost felt like we had the fort ourselves since not that many people were visiting that afternoon. Currently there is an exhibit by artist Zhang Huan “Soul and Matter” featuring several large sculptures {the huge one is titled “Three heads – six arms”} dotting the landscape along with an internal exhibit on the first two floors of the fort.

Inside the fort the artwork on display was of a kind I found pretty interesting. According to Firenze Turismo “The peculiarity of this sculptor is the use of matter: he uses metal, leather, bronze and the characteristic incense ash, which undergoes an inevitable decay in the same period in which the work is shown and it is a clear symbol of the transience of existence.” 

According to Zhang, “The ashes of incense is not only ashes, nor only matter, but it is the collective soul of our memories and our hopes.”

From one room you have former Chinese leader Chiang Kai-Shek staring you down, while in another room are two sculptures of Buddha and Jesus, facing off among others made with leather and dirt. Want to know about the art and the rest of the exhibit at the Palazzo Vecchio? You can read more here.

From the fort, you can also spy on the Boboli gardens from above and behind the fort offers some pretty gorgeous views of the countryside. I was like a kid in a candy store with my camera.

Of course, after taking a gazillion photos of Florence and walk around the expansive fort, you might get a little thirsty. No problem, they have you covered with a lounge bar on-site which frankly surprised me in its coolness factor. Prosecco, wine, juice, water – this would be one fun place to have aperitivo with friends {albeit an early one because it closes at 8pm}.

If you haven’t been — go. Many Florentines I know talk used to talk about this place quite often and I knew once it re-opened that I had to see it myself since who knows when it might be closed again for another five years.

Forte di Belvedere, via San Leonardo

Ticket –  €5.00 {local residents should ask about signing up for a special pass since entrance for them is free until October 13th!}. 10am- 8pm, closed on Thursdays.