Forte di Belvedere
Most visitors walk right past the unmarked entrance to Forte di Belvedere, a massive star-shaped fortress built for Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici in 1595, and miss one of the finest and least-crowded panoramic terraces in all of Florence. When it is open for exhibitions, the views from its ramparts are arguably even better than those from Piazzale Michelangelo.
The Fortress and Its Panorama
Designed by Bernardo Buontalenti, the fort was never seriously used for military purposes — it was really built to impress foreign dignitaries and to give the Medici a private escape route from the Palazzo Pitti directly below via a covered passageway. The palazzetto at its centre is a small, elegant building that hosts temporary art exhibitions throughout the year.
The ramparts offer a 360-degree view that takes in the Arno valley, the hills of Fiesole, the Duomo, San Miniato al Monte and the entire sweep of the Oltrarno rooftops. Because it requires a small entrance fee and is slightly off the beaten path, crowds here are a fraction of those at Piazzale Michelangelo.
Getting There and Combining Visits
The most atmospheric approach is through the Boboli Gardens — exit via the upper gate near the Kaffeehaus pavilion and follow signs uphill to the fort. Alternatively, enter directly from Via di Belvedere, the quiet lane that runs along the old city walls south of the Oltrarno.
The fort opens only during exhibitions (typically spring through early autumn) so check the Museo degli Uffizi website, which manages the venue, before planning your visit. Combine it with a walk along the intact stretch of 14th-century city walls that runs east from here toward Porta San Giorgio — one of the most peaceful walks in the city.
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