Chestnut Tower

The Chestnut Tower, located in Piazza San Martino at the corner with Via Dante Alighieri, is one of the oldest and best-preserved buildings in the historic center of Florence. Built in 1038, the tower was donated by Emperor Conrad II to the monks of the nearby Badia Fiorentina as a defense for the monastery. Its historical and architectural importance makes it an essential reference point for understanding the medieval history of Florence. The tower is tall and slender, with a quadrangular base and a stone cladding. The portal on the ground floor features a double arch, known as “Sienese”, which gives a distinctive character to the structure. During a restoration in 1921, the tower was brought back to its original form, thus preserving its architectural authenticity. Currently, the ground floor and first floor house a small museum of Risorgimento memorabilia, managed by the National Association of Garibaldian Veterans and Survivors. One of the most fascinating episodes in the history of the Chestnut Tower concerns its role as the meeting place of the Priors of the Arts of Florence from 1282 until the completion of the Bargello Palace. The Priors, who represented the powerful guilds of arts and crafts in the city, gathered in the tower to make crucial political decisions. The name “Chestnut Tower” derives from the custom of the Priors voting by putting chestnuts in bags, a system that ensured anonymity and prevented external pressures from politicians and bankers. During the 14th century, many towers in Florence were abandoned or demolished, but the Chestnut Tower survived thanks to its symbolic and historical value. Its location, facing the House of Dante, makes it an integral part of the Dantean district, an area rich in references to the life and works of the famous poet. Although Dante did not live directly in this tower, its proximity to his birthplace and the places he frequented gives the tower a special aura, enriched by the numerous commemorative plaques mentioning the Divine Comedy. The role of the tower was not limited to the Middle Ages. During the Italian Risorgimento, it was used as a venue for political meetings and discussions. Today, in addition to housing the Garibaldi museum, the tower is owned by the Florence Court, which owns the upper floors not open to the public. The architecture of the Chestnut Tower reflects the construction techniques of its time, with sturdy stone walls and narrow windows used for both defense and internal lighting. The visible putlog holes on the exterior indicate where wooden scaffolding was once inserted during construction and subsequent maintenance. The tower offers a picturesque view of the small square of San Martino, a quiet corner of the center of Florence that still retains the atmosphere of the past. Walking through this area, visitors can immerse themselves in the medieval history of the city, admiring not only the Chestnut Tower but also other surrounding historic buildings, such as the Badia Fiorentina and the House of Dante.