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.

The Mercato Centrale or the Central Market in the San Lorenzo district is a “must see” destination in Florence for any one who even likes leave alone loves food like I do. In this fabulous closed market you can get the freshest and fairly reasonable priced food together with a lively and colourful ambience which is comes as a bonus for shopping here.

The Central Market, the ultimate destination for locals and foodies alike, is a very popular and bustling market. It is housed in an elegant building with a glass and cast iron construction built way back in the eighteen hundreds. Mercato Centrale is surrounded by the open stalls of the San Lorenzo Market.

The Mercato Central or Central Market occupies two floors each floor specialising in different food items which assail your senses and send you directly to a gourmet’s paradise. On the ground floor of this historic building you can find the deli stalls as well as fresh meat, fish and poultry stalls. On the ground floor you can also find shops selling different cheeses, wines, balsamic vinegars, dried mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, pastas, breads, olive oils, truffle oil, dried herbs, spices and condiments.

On the first floor of the Central Market you can find a riot of colours as you will find the entire space occupied by fruit and vegetable stalls bursting with fresh and seasonal produce. This is by far the most colourful and appealing part of the market.

The Mercato Centrale or Central Market is open daily from 7 am upto 2 pm except on Sundays and public holidays. In winter it is open on Saturdays afternoons as well. You can begin your day with a cappuccino and some croissants or pastries from the stalls in the market. Alternatively you can also grab a quick bite for lunch from the stalls or a boiled beef sandwich (a popular Florentine specialty) from Nerbone a popular stall cum small restaurant situated inside the Central Market.

Florence has always been famous for its outdoor and indoor markets. One of the more famous among its various markets is the Sant Ambrogio Market which is held every morning at the Piazza Ghiberti near Santa Croce.

The open markets in Florence offer both the Florentines and tourists a chance to pick up fresher and reasonably priced goods when compared to the various supermarkets. They have such a lovely atmosphere teeming with life, filled with bonhomie and cheer that it is definitely great fun to visit and shop here.

Sant Ambrogio Market is an ancient Florentine market situated in a large attractive building built in the eighteen sixties with various stalls spilling outside the building. The market stalls offer fresh fruits and vegetables, various cheeses, fish and meats. The outer stalls sell fruits, vegetables, household items and even clothes whereas the inner ones concentrate on selling cheeses, various cuts of meat and fish and pastas as well.

As you wander around the market exploring the various stalls you can even get yourself a few snacks or even a small meal as there is a reasonably priced trattoria called Rocco offering authentic and tasty local Italian cuisine.

Spend some time at a local market like Sant Ambrogio Market and lose yourself in the exciting flavours and fragrances that a simple marketing experience in Florence can give. You can soak in the local atmosphere as you may even find some farmers selling their produce near the fringes of the Sant Ambrogio Market.

Sant Ambrogio Market is open from Monday to Saturdays from 7am to 2 pm. It remains closed on Sundays and other holidays.

The Heidelberg Market in Florence has begun once again at Piazza San Croce. The historic centre of San Croce is ablaze with lights and the atmosphere is lovely out here. Come visit us and spend Christmas here in Florence at one of our innumerable properties here in Florence including one in San Croce or in our villas dotting outskirts of the city.
 
The Heidelberg Market travels from Heidelberg in Germany to celebrate the Christmas spirit with the Florentines. It features fifty picturesque wooden huts bursting with all kinds of goodies. There are many a food stall for you to experience and savour all kinds of traditional and popular Italian food including meats, cheeses, bread, sausages, kraut, strudel and many more delicacies including vin brule which is warm wine delicately seasoned with spices.
 
There are also many quaint and exclusive stalls set up by artisans from Germany of course, Poland, France, Austria and other European Union countries. At these stalls you can pick up a wide range of handmade goods including clothes, toys, porcelain items, ceramic items, hats and candles. It also features many Christmas decorations and toys for setting up the Nativity Scene which is an old and still popular Italian tradition.
 
There are also colourful carousels which I think not only children by adults like me still love to ride on. So come join us to celebrate Christmas in Florence with its brilliant lights and innumerable Christmas attractions. The Heidelberg Market in Florence is on from November 29 to December 17, 2007.

Every tourist wants to take something touristy back home, and the visitor to Florence will be no exception. Of course there are hundreds of places where you can buy quality stuff in this historic city, there are so many boutiques and upmarket outlets, you’re actually spoilt for choice. But don’t miss the street markets, they have their own aura and flavour.

The Mercato del Porcellino is a quaint example of one.
Located a hop and a jump away from Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio, on Via Calimala, this market has history. Built in 1547-1551 by Giovanni Battista del Tasso, it was also known as the Mercato Nuovo, and was originally intended to sell gold and silk. But it quickly evolved into something quite different.

This open-air market in a loggia has about two dozen stalls, apart from vendors. It is now also known as the straw market, and you get a lot of stuff in leather, cheap lace, wood, and of course straw. You can also pick up some wonderful Florentine paper products, as well as towels and bedding. A good place to pick up souvenirs.Some tourists feel it is less crowded than other street markets in the city, and the leather products here are better too.

Mercato del Porcellino, translated, means the market of the boar, and thereby hangs a tale. The bazaar gets its name from the bronze statue of a wild boar in the square. The sculpture you will see today is only a copy, but the interesting fact is that the ‘original’ which it replaced was itself a copy!
The statue which originally stood in the square was cast by Pietro Tacca, who copied a marble sculpture by an unknown Greek artist.

The bronze boar somehow acquired a legend – that rubbing its nose brought good luck – as you can imagine, there was a lot of rubbing done, and the authorities feared that the statue might be damaged. So Tacca’s boar was removed to the Borgello Museum in 1962, and replaced by another made from the cast which he had used. It is this boar that has its nose rubbed in the Mercato del Procellino today, but apparently the luck holds good.

he original marble boar now lives in the Uffizi Gallery, also in Florence, so don’t miss the two ‘originals’ while you’re in the city.

Shop for lace and leather, paper, clothes and straw, and as you’re leaving give the boar’s nose a rub, the belief is that it will bring you back to Florence.