Originally known as  Fortezza di San Giovanni Battista, the Fortezza di Basso in Florence, Italy, was constructed in the 1500s. Literally, ‘The Fortress Base’, the Fortezza was designed to provide a governmental refuge in the case of any strife in the city, hence its large and imposing size aimed to impress upon the city and those beyond its walls. Either its design worked, or was simply not needed, as there was never any requirement to utilise the Fortezza for its intended military purpose.

Having therefore served little purpose for some time, recent use of the structure has resulted in new buildings to be erected within its walls. In the late 1970s and again in the 1990s, new and ultra-modern additions were added to the interior of the Fortress. In a city of ancient and magnificent buildings, their design is noted in part simply for the city’s absence of other modern architecture. Nowadays, the Fortezza consists of 9 pavilion-like structures, and spans a space of 100,000 square metres.

The aim, and in fact the end result of this work on the Fortezza, is that the area now operates as an exhibition and festival space that attracts thousands of young Florentines each year to its hosted events.  

One of the most lively, held from 11 June until 3 August, is the summer ‘INFORTEZZA’ festival. The Fortezza’s large outdoor areas fill with spectators where exhibitions are held, theatrical displays are performed, locals bars set-up outdoor services, bands play live music that attracts hundreds of people swaying to the rhythm and beat of the music, wine in hand.

Arriving with a group of friends, all of you dressed in light, flowing summer clothes, the girls in metallic coloured strappy leather sandals and small evening shoulder bags, there is a crowd awaiting at the large opening to the Fortezza. Outside the gates, there is a piazza whose crowds ebb and flow with groups in the process of coming and going.

Entering into the festival, the cobbled lane of the structure leads you, winds you through to the centre of the Fortress.

Along the way you pass pavilions hosting art exhibitions for local artists, and one large space is filled with thousands of books where you can peruse the titles for hours - classics through the modern titles all flayed out on large white tables. Perhaps you will leaf through Dante as the carnival sounds creep in from without.

Returning to the noise, there are carnival stands where one can throw, hit, lift and fish for prizes. Any sweet-tooth can be satisfied by the fairy-floss and sweets stall, and then there are the shoes, bags and clothing stalls for any midnight shopping desires.

Inside one of the pavilions, there are hundreds of international stalls selling incense, African drums, tie-dyed clothing, gifts, artworks, music, everything you could possibly think of in a giant market stall.

If all the shopping makes you thirsty, Florence’s oldest Irish pub, the Fiddler’s Elbow, sets up a stall with tables and chairs around its bar where the pub locals can sit in a subtle-change of scenery from the narrow Santa Maria Novella location of the original.

Other bars serve cocktails, beers and wines to the locals seated together chatting and laughing outdoors as the noise of fun and relaxation fills the air. There is a South-American bar with live music where the audience is spirited by the intoxicating music. Then there are the chic bars where wines are sipped more quietly whilst eyes peer over the glass rims to see who is the best dressed at the bar.

Having been entertained and quenched thirsts, it is time for food!  

Food consists of batter freshly poured onto hotplates to form perfectly round, paper thin crepes that are filled with delicious local cheeses and meats, the cheese melting and dripping down your wrist as you bite into the deliciousness. Perhaps you will be drawn to the enticing aromas emanating from sizzling barbecue plates at the nearby grilled meat stall. With a side of delectable grilled vegetables and crispy french fries (don’t forget the mayonnaise!), under the darkened Tuscan sky, with an Italian jazz band wonderfully messing up the lyrics to your favourite tune, this is happiness at its simple best.

If you’re hungry for something slightly more exotic, although more costly, there is the Portuguese barbecue stand nearby, just past the Indian stall and Kebab shop. And what would an Italian meal be without the offer of pasta and pizza? After midnight, some stands even offer free spaghetti… if you can resist that long!

Energised by your meal, you have several options for after-dinner entertainment. A nearby outdoor disco plays fantastically terrible ’70s songs mixed with more modern popular songs and the occasional hilarious Italian song that everyone seems to know not only the words to, but also the dance moves! This disco offers a free ride on a mechanical bull with every drink purchased.

Some pavilions have discos where the lights are dimmed and the music heightened. Other outdoor stalls offer more relaxing musical options. It is wonderful passing from area to area to hear one band’s tune fade into the next disco’s chorus.

In the summer heat, which does not considerably lower in the evening, nothing is nicer that a midnight gelato with the locals.

When you think of Florence, you think of the Renaissance, it’s art and architecture. You think of beauty and style. Some of the world’s best fashion, worn so well by its beautifully refined locals. But this is not all there is to Florence. There is also the vivacious, vibrant youth of the city, with discos and parties and yes, fashion events. And many of these are held each year at the Fortezza di Basso, where the best of Florence mixes so well together.

Cimabue as he is most often referred to is a famous Italian artist of the Byzantine period. He is also known as Cenni di Peppi or Cenni di Pepo. He was born in Florence sometime between 1240 and 1245 (the exact date is unknown) and was a contemporary of Dante.
 
Cimabue was a popular artist and painted many frescoes in churches in Florence and also in Italy. Some of his important works are showcased in art galleries like the Santa Trinita Madonna at the Uffizi in Florence. In the National Gallery of Art, Washington you can find four of his famous works. They are tempera on panel and depict the Madonna and scenes of Christ with famous saints like Saint John, Saint Peter and Saint James. The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Two angels is part of the collection in the National Gallery of Art in London. The Madonna and Child in Majesty surrounded by Angels hangs at the Louvre in Paris and the Virgin and Child at the Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery, London.
 
Cimabue strove to break away from the sharp lines and stylized regulations of Byzantine art and renew pictorial reality in his paintings. By emphasizing visual presence he represented space, fluidity, body and light in such a way as to influence fourteenth century art and artists mostly notably his famous student Giotti.
 
He has worked with tempera on wood and also on mosaic. Some of his important works are part of many churches and cathedrals. He was the artist who created Saint John which is part of a larger mosaic in the Cathedral at Pisa. He is also the mosaicist for a series of frescoes in the San Francesco Church in Assisi depicting scenes from the New Testament and also a magnificent but badly damaged Crucifix in the Church of San Croce in Florence.
 
He died in 1302 leaving behind his work and his mentoring of students which have rightly earned him a place in Florentine history and art.

Although Giovanni Boccaccio is more often than not associated with his friend Petrarch, he has created his own name and place in Florentine history and literature.
 
Giovanni Boccaccio is a famous Florentine writer/poet and humanist of the renaissance. He was born probably in Florence or it may have even been Certaldo in Tuscany in June or July 1313. Although born out of wedlock to an unknown woman and a wealthy Florentine merchant, Boccacino di Chellino he was officially recognized by his father and was named Giovanni Boccaccio and grew up in Florence.
 
Giovanni Boccaccio spent most his life in Italy and travelled all over the country including Florence. He began his career as an apprentice in the bank his father worked in, moved on to study canon law but gained fame as a writer and poet.
 
In 1332 Boccaccio began his first foray into literature with his essays in Latin - the Allegorica Mitologica and Elegia di Costanza as well as vernacular poetry. In 1350 Giovanni Boccaccio met Petrarch in Florence and forged a lifelong friendship which lasted till Petrarch’s death.
 
Giovanni Boccaccio became a diplomat and government representative for Florence on and off during the period 1351 to 1371 to Padua, Rome, Ravenna, Brandenburg and Avignon.
 
However Boccaccio has received most accolades for his major works which include his famous and vernacular poetry, the Decameron and Concerning Famous Woman. The Decameron has been translated into most of the European as well as other languages, the earliest English translation dating back to 1620. He is famous for his prose works, his poetry as well as his pastorals.
 
On December 21, 1375 Giovanni Boccaccio died in his home at Certaldo leaving behind a legacy of famous writings. Giovanni Boccaccio has been considered as one of the first humanists along with Petrarch, a good friend as well as a man of independent thought and a patriot.

Sandro Botticelli as he is famously renowned was born in Florence on March 1, 1944/45. This famous Florentine painter was called Alessandro di Mariano di Vani Filipepe but is recognized more often by the shorter version of his name, Sandro Botticelli.
 
Sandro Botticelli was one of the early Florentine renaissance painters. His paintings “Primavera” (1478) and “Birth of Venus” (1486) are considered to be among the foremost paintings of the renaissance. Primavera is an allegory to spring which has its own significance in Florence. Among others the Medicis were his patrons. He exquisitely illustrated part of Dante’s Divine Comedy in pen and ink. 
 
He also painted religious themes. He has done a series of paintings on the Madonna. The “Adoration of the Magi’ is another of his later paintings which hold its place in Florentine history. He was also very successful as a painter for frescoes in many a Florentine church.
 
Sandro Botticelli grew in stature and fame and became a part of the team of leading artists of the time including Perugino, Rosselli and Ghirlando who painted frescoes for the Sistine Chapel.
 
He was influenced by the Dominican monk Savonarola and may have sacrificed some of his works to the “Bonfires of the Vanities.” His later works including the “Pieta”, the Mystic Crucifixion and the Mystic Nativity reflect an intensity of religiosity. They also included a series of works on Saint Zenobius have what is considered a more mature approach but less of the individualistic style that characterized his earlier work.
 
Sandro Botticelli had a highly individualistic style. His works emphasized a mastery over line, coupled with an elegance bordering on mild melancholy to produce very arresting images which still leave a strong visual impact on most viewers.
 
Although his paintings form a part of other major art galleries world wide, Florence is the best city to showcase Sandro Botticelli famous paintings.

When you visit the Baptistery in Florence you will stop to admire its three bronze doors but did you know that the earliest one the south door was sculpted by Andrea Pisano? This famous Italian was a sculptor and architect of the Gothic period.

Andrea Pisano, also known as Andrea da Pantadera, was born in 1270. He began his career as a pupil of Giovanni Pisano. He became extremely popular after he came under the influence of Giotti. After Giotti, Andrea Pisano became the next Master of Works at the Florence Duomo (Cathedral).

One of his finest works still stands testimony in Florence. It is the exquisite bronze door at the baptistery in Florence. It has a number of quatrefoil panels. Figures of the Virtues are depicted in the lower panels. They include portrayals of Hope and Faith on the left. On the right panels Charity and Humility have been portrayed. Below these you can find Fortitude and Temperance on the left and Justice and Prudence on the right. The other panels depict scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist. Saint John is considered as the patron saint of Florence.

Andrea Pisano also produced many marble sculptures all under the influence of Giotti for Museo dell’Opera dell Duomo, Florence. He carved stone reliefs for the Campanile (Bell Tower) of Santa Maria del Fiore.

He later became Master of Works at the Orvieto Cathedral. He was succeeded by his sons who were also master sculptors and artists. His chief student Andrea di Cione became very famous under the name Orcagna. Andrea died around 1349 leaving behind a legacy of sculptures as well as became renowned for nurturing the talent of his sons and pupils.