FAI Autumn Days - October 10th & 11th

Built by the Bartolini-Salimbeni family around 1520, Palazzo di Valfonda originally stood within an immense garden. In 1558, it was purchased by Captain Chiappino Vitelli and later passed to the Riccardi family, wealthy bankers who, in 1600, hosted the celebrated festivities for the wedding of Maria de’ Medici to Henry IV of France.

No reservation required.

Visiting the Palazzo della Banca d’Italia in Florence during the FAI Open Days offers a rare opportunity to step inside an institutional building that is normally closed to the public. Built during the years when Florence was the capital of Italy, the building is a remarkable testament to the profound urban and political transformation brought about by the Italian Risorgimento.

The visit offers the chance to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a bygone era through an exclusive tour of some of the building’s most prestigious rooms.

No reservation required.

The guided tour offers an exceptional opportunity to access a prestigious military site that is normally closed to the public for obvious security and institutional confidentiality reasons. The tour, with its focus on history and art, will take visitors through the gates of what Florentines traditionally call the “Air Warfare School”, offering the chance to explore exclusive spaces enriched with memorabilia, historical photographs and maps.

Booking on line

The complex has been transformed into a vibrant cultural centre dedicated to the local community and open to the public. What makes the visit truly special is the visual impact of this remarkable setting, where magnificent decorations and exquisite ornamental details create an immersive atmosphere.

Crossing its threshold means rediscovering a jewel of extraordinary aesthetic harmony, where visual richness and elegant details preserve the wonder of one of the most fascinating and precious places that embody Florence’s cultural identity.

No reservation required.