Restoration of the Santa Maria Novella area continues: the Scuola Marescialli e Brigadieri dei Carabinieri, located within the Caserma Mameli, on the side of the complex facing the train station, will soon move to new headquarters. Mayor Dario Nardella commented, “{We want to} immediately give this magnificent space back to the Florentines, beginning with its Chiostro Grande, the city’s largest {cloister}, which will be like a new piazza.”
The Chiostro Grande
The Caserma will be open to the public for free visits on October 9. A “listening marathon” will then take place in the complex’s Chiostro Grande on October 22, sparking dialogue between city officials and residents about the Caserma’s potential. An international competition is already underway to decide the future of the 20.489 square meter space, open to businesses, individuals, public and private organizations, universities and other institutions. The only guideline is that the space’s new function must have a science and technology focus.
With the changes to the Caserma, the current museum area of Santa Maria Novella will undergo an expansion, to the tune of 3 million euro. The Chiostro Grande, the Cappella del Papa and the former dormitories will be incorporated into the pre-existing route. The dormitories will be used as both an exhibition space and a services area, where a ticketing desk, bookshop, coat check and café will be set up.
From December 15, 2016 to January 15, 2017, the Cappella del Papa, the northern dormitory and the Chiostro Grande will all be open for visits at no cost, offering the public a preview of the expansion to come.
