Un'architettura medicea per la città contemporanea. Il recupero del Forte Belvedere e l'antologica di Henry Moore, 1955-1972

This contribution presents the first results of research aimed at clarifying the history of the Forte Belvedere in terms of its architecture and its exhibition history. Unlike other Florentine monuments, the fort was not restored until the second half of the twentieth century, a fact that resulted in a delayed utilisation for purposes of tourism and a radical change in identity. The study examines in particular the historic phase that altered the exclusively military character of the fort, transforming it into a monumental site with extraordinary potential for tourism and exhibition activities. The consecration of this vocation as a venue for the appreciation of art took place in 1972 with the opening of the major exhibition of the works of the sculptor Henry Moore. The exhibition was an enormous success and launched a long series of initiatives that continue to be held in the site, generating an original fusion between the Renaissance language of military architecture and contemporary artistic language.