After a massive restoration project, the San Niccolò tower is open to the public once more. This historic tower was once part of the ancient walls of Florence. It dates back to 1324 and consisted of three arched floors. Soldiers used to stand guard in these arches day and night. It was designed by the famous architect, Arnolfo di Cambio.
Stay in a comfortable holiday rental in Florence where you can easily come and see this magnificent tower for yourself!
The San Niccolò tower was the only original defensive tower of the city that wasn’t lowered during the Siege of Florence in 1529. The other thirteen towers were lowered as their heights made them easy targets for artillery but the San Niccolò tower wasn’t as the Miniato hill in front of it served as its natural protection.
Stay in a comfortable holiday rental in Florence where you can easily come and see this magnificent tower for yourself!
The San Niccolò tower was the only original defensive tower of the city that wasn’t lowered during the Siege of Florence in 1529. The other thirteen towers were lowered as their heights made them easy targets for artillery but the San Niccolò tower wasn’t as the Miniato hill in front of it served as its natural protection.
Guided tours are available from June until September and entry is only €3. Walk up the 160 steps of this tower and listen to its fabulous history between the hours of 4pm and 8pm, available in English and Italian.
You’ll learn that the San Niccolò tower was one of the originally entrance gates to the city. From the top you can see the Ponte and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence cathedral and the nearby town of Fiesole.
You’ll learn that the San Niccolò tower was one of the originally entrance gates to the city. From the top you can see the Ponte and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence cathedral and the nearby town of Fiesole.
The original walls were eight kilometres in perimeter and fourteen splendid towers were built into them between 1289 and 1336. As well as visiting the San Niccolò tower why not walk through the nearby porta San Miniato and the scenic Rose garden of Florence on the other side.
There are some fabulous eateries in Piazza San Niccolò worth checking out after your cultural visit to this historic part of Florence so come and see it for yourself on your next Tuscan vacation!
There are some fabulous eateries in Piazza San Niccolò worth checking out after your cultural visit to this historic part of Florence so come and see it for yourself on your next Tuscan vacation!
Photo credits
picture 1: Mac9 / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Mac9 / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
