Piazza Indipendenza |
Walking through Piazza Indipendenza and Piazza
del Crocifisso, we arrive in Fortezza da Basso’s area, characterized
by the modern railway station of Santa Maria Novella, one of the
best examples of modern Italian architecture, designed in 1935 by
a group of Tuscan artists including Piero Berardi and Giovanni Michelucci
and named by the monumental complex of the historical Fortezza
da Basso. The Fortezza, was built by the Sangallo family
in 1534. This splendid example of the celebrated Fortresses, built
under the growing threat of tur bulent political upheavals, was
one of the very first Italian "citadels". A building with
powerful bastions bristling with turrets, full of narrow passages,
parapet walks and secret passages, throughout all its long history,
this impregnable fortress was never once attacked and has thus remained
intact to this day. The Fortezza da Basso is well-equipped, for
a total area of over 34.000 square meters, and is the largest area
for exhibitions in the city.
Fortezza da Basso |
Nowadays the Fortezza da Basso houses the main Exhibition Centre
in Florence (Palazzo delle Esposizioni), where all the most important
fairs and shows are held (from haute couture -such as Pitti Immagine
Uomo and Pitti Immagine Bimbo- to fabric and leather previews, arts
and crafts, leisure, gifts shows and the Congress Tourism Market
Show). Built on three floors, the modern pavilion that is usually
used for these events was designed by architect Pierluigi Spadolini
and inaugurated in 1977.
The Exhibition area of the Fortezza da Basso is connected functionally
and operatively with Palazzo dei Congressi and
Palazzo Affari. Palazzo dei Congressi is a villa built by the Strozzi
family, perfectly restored and housing ancient furniture and pieces,
while Palazzo Affari is a modern hall, built by architect Spadolini
in 1974. The three facilities stand out as particularly original
and very high-profile exhibition and meeting places.
Like for the rest of Florence, in this area ancient corners emerge
from modern sights making Florence one of the most charming city
of the world.
In the Fortezza da Basso’s area is located the richest Library
in Italy: the Biblioteca Nazionale, the collection runs through
the Italian culture starting from the XIII century to today. It
has 4 millions of volumes; about 724.000 between letters and autographs;
more then 24.000 manuscripts including the precious Galileian Collection.
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