Skyscrapers of the past: the iconic towers of old Florence

Not everyone knows that in medieval times Florence was characterized by Tower houses – peculiar buildings similar to modern skyscrapers – that spread all over the city as they allowed for additional space to face the rapid growth of population it was experiencing during this time.  There were almost 150 of them and in a short time started to become symbols of power and a reason of competition among the richest noble families: the taller the tower, the more influential the family. Due to their exaggerated height (towers ended up measuring between 50 and 70 meters in heights) falling towers were quite common, often caused by the uncontrolled competition of the families that wanted the towers to become higher and higher. Many of the towers have managed to survive to our times, overcoming the internal conflicts between Guelfi and Ghibellini.. Continue reading for an itinerary to admire them while you stroll in the heart of Florence´s historic city center!

Just behind Piazza del Duomo, where you can visit the outstanding Cathedral of Santa Maria Novella with the magnificent cupola designed by Brunelleschi, in via Delle Oche you can find the Torre dei Visdomini. The Visdomini family was one of the most important noble families in medieval Florence, and had an important relationship with the Church and their religious offices. The tower, dating back to 1300, is still intact and has  many windows on different floors. It’s fame increased  as Dante cited its owning family, the Visdomini, in the famed “Divina Commedia”, accusing them of managing and occupying the Church’s palaces and properties for their own profit: a plaque on the façade still recalls this fact.

From Via delle Oche, head towards Piazza de Donati walking down via del Corso. Here we can find the Torre dei Donati. At a first sight, you will not recognize any “tower”:as it was partly demolished in 1200, in the attempt to discourage the feuds between the noble families of Guelfi and Ghibellini.  This venue is located in an area where different buildings are thought to have hosted the famous poet Dante, and in fact a museum about him is present just a few steps away. In the nearby area, there are other two towers definitely worth a visit, that witness the importance this district played in medieval times: Torre della Castagna and Torre del Palazzo di Podestà. The former is situated just at the corner of Via Dante Alighieri and Piazza San Martino, and is one of the better-preserved buildings in the city center. The first information on this tower dates back to 1038, making it also one of the oldest surviving buildings. When the Priorato Fiorentino – the government of the city – was created in 1282, it was this building that hosted  its headquarters . Its name, the “Tower of Chestnuts”, comes from the fact that during their meetings, governors used chestnuts to express their positive or negative opinion on the issues they were evaluating. The second tower can be found in Via del Proconsolo, and is part of the Bargello palace, built later , and set  to become the headquarters of the city government. In this area, many buildings are connected to the government and justice of old Florence, and it is said that in the basement of this tower, the old prisons were held.

Now that we’ve seen this first group of ancient skyscrapers in Florence, we can stroll towards Piazza della Signoria, the real social, economic and political center of medieval Florence. Here, admiring the famous Palazzo Vecchio and the characteristic sculptures crowding the square, including the magnificent reproduction of the worldwide famous David by Michelangelo is required. From here, continue for a few meters on Via Vacchereccia and turn onto Via Por S. Maria: there you will find other characteristic Towers. On  the corner of Borgo Santi Apostoli, you will see the Torre dei Baldovinetti: perfectly preserved even after the WW II bombings, thanks to its solid structure without windows – it still has its traditional loopholes. Apparently it used to be  two floors higher! A few meters ahead, you can observe the Torre degli Amidei: partly rebuilt due to war damages, this tower has maintained its original ground floors and today is home to a jeweler.

And now,  let’s head back to the hotel NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa: the last – but not least – tower is waiting for you: owned by the Ghibelline Monaldi family, the Torre Monalda is also known by the nickname “La Rognosa”, due to its resisting injunctions to lower its height over time. In the fifteenth century, it became part of the main building, and now houses the Suite of the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa. Comfort and elegance go side by side with stylish details that preserve the historical building with care.