Palazzo Vecchio Tower and Forte Belvedere
by Melany Sarafis
Title
Palazzo Vecchio Tower and Forte Belvedere
Artist
Melany Sarafis
Medium
Photograph
Description
The view from the top of Bruneleschi's magnificent dome.
Palazzo Vecchio has served as a civic center, fortress, and palace. It's tower was a great lookout post, and is one of the city's unmistakable symbols and focal points. It is also one of the oldest parts of the building built between 1299 and the early 14th century, possibly to a design by Arnolfo di Cambio, as the seat of the city's governament. The cell that Savaronolla and Lorenzo the Magnificant were held (at different times) is up near the top.
Up on the hill, Fort Belvedere was built by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici around 1590–1595, to protect the city and its rule by the Medici family. The Fort served many purposes: to protect the center of government in Florence, the Pitti Palace; to protect the south end of the city of Florence and the Oltrarno district; to demonstrate the power of the Medici family; hold the treasury of the Medici; and finally to provide a shelter for the Grand Duke if the city came under attack. The fort was connected to Palazzo Vecchio via the Vasari Corridor over Ponte Vecchio, passages in the Pitti Palace and paths through Boboli Gardens. The location where the fort was placed had long been considered of strategic importance since the time of Michelangelo, then head engineer of fortifications.
Uploaded
August 6th, 2013
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