Complex - 14 Things to Know About Forte di Belvedere lyrics

Upon being built between 1590 - 1595, its original purpose was to protect the Medici family. The legendary, mega-wealthy banking family were protected by the shape and size of the fortress, along with its strategic location in the city of Florence. The Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici commissioned its construction, and it protected troops for over 100 years after it was built. The architect who designed Forte di Belvedere, Bernardo Buontalenti, also invented the sweet treat, gelato. Supposedly, Bernardo Buontalenti, the Florentine stage designer, architect, engineer, designer, and artist, who designed Forte di Belvedere, also invented the first modern ice cream, gelato, in 1565. He gave his recipe and innovative refrigerating techniques to Catherine de' Medici, and they were perfected over a century later by Sicilian fisherman Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli. Kanye's ice cream connection continues... Buontalenti designed the fort's angles to strategically allow for all the walls to be seen by another wall. This architectural feat, seen as a cutting edge, contemporary design principle at the time, was important for cross fire to a**ist in protecting the other walls. Few know that it was the site of some of Galileo's greatest discoveries. Galileo visited Forte Belvedere to complete some of his most important studies in astronomy. In 1633, he moved to a villa in Arcetri, not far from the fort. Michelangelo was Belvedere's head engineer of fortifications. While an early version of the fort was made of earth and stone gabions, Michelangelo engineered the vision of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici to support Belvedere's strategic location and structure. Kanye and Kim supposedly paid $410,000 to host their wedding at the fort. While people initially speculated that Kim and Kanye would be getting married in Paris, officials in Florence confirmed that Forte di Belvedere would be the home of their ceremony. They reportedly paid 300,000 euros to rent it. However, normally, people cannot be married at the site. A spokeswoman for the mayor of Florence's office told The Guardian that the fort wasn't previously registered for civil marriages. Supposedly, the money Kim and Kanye paid for the booking will go towards Florence's cultural sector. For all of its splendor, it's a fortress marked by tragedy. Most recently, 37-year-old artist and filmmaker Veronica Locatelli fell to her d**h while celebrating her birthday at the fort in 2008. On the same night, the opening of an exhibition by photographer David LaChapelle was being celebrated there. It's also shaped like a star. As is the case for many castles and fortresses, Forte di Belvedere is shaped like a star. And it hosts top-notch art exhibitions. Similar to the originally rumored location of Kim and Kanye's wedding, Versailles, Forte di Belvedere has hosted stunning art exhibitions by Henry Moore, Fausto Melotti, Mimmo Paladino, Mario Merz, Giuseppe Penone, Anish Kapoor, Folon, David LaChappelle, Zhang Huan, and more. Today, 20 sculptures by Vanessa Beecroft will surround guests at Kim and Kanye's ceremony. Yet it was secretly a treasure trove. In addition to keeping the Medici Family safe, Forte di Belvedere helped them stunt and show off their wealth and prestige. It was the site of the precious Medici treasury, which was dug into a secret hiding place in the hill. And it's equipped with mysterious, medieval secret pa**ageways. If you don't already get it by now, the Medici Family wasn't playing. It's known by way too many names. People also know it as Forte di San Giorgio, Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere, or simply Belvedere. And of course, it provides breathtaking views of Florence. From Forte di Belvedere, one can see a view of almost the entire city, although it was only reopened to the public in July of last year. It is also the most gigantic fortress in all of Florence.