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The Third Management Plan of the Historic Centre of Florence
The Management Plans

Towers, gates and fortresses: the ancient walls of Florence

 

The towers, gates, and fortresses of the city have endless stories to tell: stories of war and peace, stories of fatigue and dream, stories of courage and fear. For hundreds and hundreds of years, they have surrounded and protected the Historic Centre of Florence as a World Heritage Site, guarding its wonders, remembering that every now and then it is worth taking your feet off the ground and raising your eyes.

The City of Florence in collaboration with MUS.E has expanded year after year the proposal to enhance this immense artistic and architectural heritage.

From June 24, 2018, the battlements of Torre San Niccolò have been reopened, which are visitable every day until September 30 from 17 to 20 (from September 1, at 16-19). The protagonists throughout the summer of 2018 were the Torre Della Zecca, Porta Romana, and Baluardo San Giorgio, parts of the updates in the city’s defensive system during modern times, resources also necessary in Florence for the advent of artillery and firearms. The sixteenth-century is linked not only to the Baluardo San Giorgio but also to the two great fortresses of the city: the San Giovanni Fortress (better known as Fortezza da Basso) and San Giorgio Fortress (better known as Forte di Belvedere). Both fortresses will be open to the public from this summer, allowing visitors to discover two new important pieces of a history that does not fail, every time, to reserve new surprises, including the new underground paths that run under the walls of the Fortezza da Basso. Not to forget, finally, the Tower of Palazzo Vecchio or the Tower of Arnolfo, which with its 95 meters high, stands over the city, constituting one of its unmistakable symbols and landmarks.

To the faithful who have visited all the places during this summer, having the brochure stamped on the occasion of each visit is offered a prize visit/activity of your choice in the Florentine Civic Museums for two people.

In line with three of the specific objectives of the European project ATLAS.WH (Atlantic Interreg Programme) – of which the City of Florence is a partner together with the cities of Porto, Bordeaux, Edinburgh, and Santiago de Compostela – the project for the enhancement of the wall system of Florence aims to improve the attractiveness and knowledge of the World Heritage Site enclosed within the circle of walls. It also helps to strengthen the sense of belonging to the community and the Site itself.

FAQ

Why is the Historic Centre of Florence a World Heritage Site?

The Historic Centre of Florence was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982. The justification for its inscription is contained within the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, which articulates the criteria for inscription of the site, its integrity, authenticity and the management system for its protection. The Historic Centre of Florence is considered to be a unique artistic achievement embedding museums, churches, palaces and globally renowned cultural goods of inestimable value. The city has also been able to exert an important cultural, economic and architectural influence in Italy and Europe for centuries, defining itself as the birthplace of modern Humanism and Renaissance values. The stratification of these values is also enriched by the relationship between the Historic Centre and the surrounding hills, which form a perfect harmonious backstage.

What is the area of the city of Florence inscribed on the World Heritage List?

The Core Zone inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 coincides with the Historic Centre of Florence, traditionally identified with the area included within the avenues corresponding to the ancient circle of the fourteenth-century walls. In 2021, a boundary modification of the perimeter was approved to include the complex of San Miniato al Monte and the surrounding area. The Buffer Zone of the site encompasses the eighteen Belvedere points and includes part of the territories of four municipalities: the Municipality of Florence, the Municipality of Sesto Fiorentino, the Municipality of Fiesole and the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli.  

What is the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)?

Cultural and/or natural significance that is so exceptional that it transcends national boundaries and is of common importance to present and future generations of humanity as a whole, constituting the fundamental requirement for the inscription of porperties on the World Heritage List. The properties  deemed to hold Outstanding Universal Value can be included in the World Heritage List if:

  • They satisfy one or more Selection Criteria;
  • They respect the conditions of Integrity and Authenticity;
  • They have an adequate Protection and Management System to ensure their safeguarding
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