Forte di Belvedere

This guide to Forte di Belvedere in Florence follows Grand Duke Ferdinando I's real reasons for building this hilltop fortress in 1590: officially it guarded the Pitti Palace below, but architect Bernardo Buontalenti also built in a hidden corridor tying it to the Medici family's private escape route. At the fort's heart sits a well leading down to a vault built to guard the family treasure, rigged with hidden traps against enemies who might be family, courtiers, or thieves. Stand on the ramparts to take in the view the Medici built an entire escape route to protect.