Fortezza da Basso, called also Fortezza of Saint John the Baptist (the patron saint of Florence), was commissioned by the Medici family and built in 1533 in the northern area of the historical city centre of Florence.
The architecture and design of the Fortezza
The complex of the Fortezza was built like those of a mediaeval city thanks to the idea of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, one of the greatest architects in Florence, with the help of Pierfranceco da Viterbo: the facade of the dungeon are designed with spherical spearhead made of stones, to resemble the symbol of the Medici family. At the time of the demolition of the Florence city walls dating back to 300, during the brief period of Florence capital of Italy, the fortress was isolated and its walls were levelled.
Once a house of correttion, nowadays the ,most important exhibition space in Florence
Under Piero Leopoldo Fortezza da Basso was used as house of correction: today, Fortezza da Basso is the largest exhibition centre in Florence, with an area of 34,000 metres, to hosts the most significant exhibitions and fairs of the city (Pitti Immagine, Florence Gift Mart, EuroCamper, Prato Expo,...