Best events in Florence this week July 25-August 1, 2024

Forte Belvedere

The external spaces of Forte Belvedere are open to the public for free from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm, until September 30, with guided tours at 5pm and 6.30pm on Friday and Sunday afternoons, bringing you to discover the fortresses’ fascinating past. The tours cost 5 euro, 2.50 reduced.  Info and reservations: T: 0552768224, email: info@musefirenze.it.

Circinus: proportional compasses from the 15th to 18th centuries

Organized in collaboration with the Arithmeum of Bonn, hundreds of original instruments on display in the Galileo Museum reconstruct the history of the proportional compass, illustrating its evolution and various uses.

Life, if it's not a dream, do you know what it is?

The summer space at Anconella Park transforms into an outdoor theatre at 6.30pm for Letizia Sacco’s performance (in Italian) of a tale inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Beyond the Looking Glass.

Ceramics open day

Take part in a workshop at Il Palmerino with ceramist Bella Poiret Masse, a Florence-based artist originally from the U.S. The workshop will explore interactive and personalized demonstrations and inquiries into ceramics, and connects to the ongoing Lola Costa exhibition. Open from 10am to 6pm, free attendance. Reserve your spot, in either Italian or English: email associazione@palmerino.it.

Cicero, the last Republican

A new political drama by playwright and actor, Justin Butcher, performed in English, comes to St Mark’s English Church at 7pm on July 29. Directed by Rupert Mason, music and sound are by Julian Starr, with Justin Butcher as Cicero, Tristan Beint as Tiro and Beth Eyre as Tullia, produced by Julia Holden. The story explores the tale of elder statesman, lawyer, and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero, his daughter, and  faithful slave, as Cicero plans his last stand against the corrupt demagogue Mark Antony, before the pending fall of the Roman Republic. Tickets available both at the venue and online.

Who’s who in your Italy property purchase

Take part in an exclusive webinar led by three experts who take you through purchasing a property in Italy. A lawyer, notary and surveyor discuss the role of each in securing your dream home in Italy. The free online event takes place from 4.30-5.30pm on July 25, led by Your Overseas Home.

Jazz and wine in Montalcino

The 27th edition of the festival formed from the collaboration between the Banfi winery, the Rubei family of Alexanderplatz in Rome and the Municipality of Montalcino features artists like Jany McPherson, John Schofield, Dave Holland, Aymée Nuviola and Andy James, with quality wine in the charming setting making it an event to remember.

Meet the artisans at Il Bisonte

Balagan Café

This summer’s Balagan Café will focus on dialogue and commitments to building paths to peace. The summer showcase organized by the Jewish Community of Florence and Rete Toscana Ebraica returns to the Synagogue gardens with Thursday evening events through September. This year’s theme, “Where peace begins”, focuses on creating a space for dialogue and coexistence through music, films, meetings, dialogues and workshops led by key speakers who are actively committed to peaceful dialogue. “In these dark times,” says artistic director Enrico Fink, “our focus is to shed light on some of the prejudices and misunderstandings we are seeing today.” Already in its 12th year, Balagan Café is held beneath centuries-old pomegranate trees and historic palms in via Farini as a range of musical and cultural experiences are offered.  Happening simultaneously on Thursday evenings, the Synagogue gardens will also host Saperi & Sapori, a taste of Jewish cuisine organized by Ruth’s Kosher Vegetarian Food and guided visits of the Synagogue organized by Opera Laboratori (by reservation only: +39 055 2989879 / €10 per person). Book your place: +39 055 2989879. To reserve a light dinner prepared by Ruth’s and Michele Hagen (limited places available), reservation is required: saperiesapori2024@gmail.com (minimum offer 15 euro).

Mixology at Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel delights with a varied calendar in the picturesque hilltop setting in Fiesole. A mixology evening called ‘Alchimia di Meraviglie’ will be held on July 25 in collaboration with Officina Profumo Farmaceutica of Santa Maria Novella. Starting from 7pm, the San Michele team offer their intriguing drinks list created for the occasion. Contact concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055 5678200 to reserve your spot, and don’t forget that every Tuesday Villa San Michele hosts a DJ set by the Pool Bar, from 7-10.30pm

Corpo Celeste

The Virgilio Sieni Dance Production Centre focuses on the fragility of bodies with a series of lessons open to all in various venues in the city, including the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Synagogue. Free entry.

Incontri in Terra di Siena

The Val D’Orcia becomes home to eight concerts in spectacular locations, under the artistic direction of Alessio Bax. The sounds of strings playing Bach, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn and more resound throughout the Tuscan landscape, with an evening with Irish writer Joseph O’Connor and Canadian journalist Eleanor Wachtel adding a literary flair.

Dinner and live music

Enjoy dinner in the Tuscan hills with live music on Friday and Saturday nights at the Tre Rane Restaurant on Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano estate. Our advice: get there around 7pm to savour the sunset in the gardens with a complimentary glass of Ruffino wine.