Forte Belvedere reopens June 24, 2025, but without art exhibitions

Florence's Forte Belvedere will reopen to the public on June 24, 2025, but with a new programming model that excludes art exhibitions. The fortress, built from 1590 by Bernardo Buontalenti for Ferdinando I de' Medici, has been managed by Fondazione Mus.E under a ten-year direct assignment from the city council. Instead of large-scale shows, the site will host live music, book presentations, conferences, and art events. The decision marks a shift from the previous decade of contemporary art programming under Sergio Risaliti's artistic direction (2013–2023), which featured artists like Zhang Huan, Giuseppe Penone, Antony Gormley, Jan Fabre, and Massimo Listri. The last exhibition was a solo show by Nico Vascellari in 2023. Florence's culture councillor Giovanni Bettarini stated the aim is to make the Forte a familiar, dynamic space rather than a backdrop for major artists. A new educational lab, iLab Firenze Forma continua, will open on the top floor, focusing on urban evolution. The Forte will close in October, with possible year-round extension for the lab. Access is free, 10 am–8 pm, with the café open until midnight during events.