This year’s Feast of San Giovanni brought many novelties, among them a
new view of the city. Following a months-long 300,000-euro restoration, the San
Niccolò Tower was opened to some 600 locals and tourists for the first time.
Florence’s
mayor, Matteo Renzi, said at the opening, ‘The San Niccolò Tower is a small
gift for June 24, the feast of our patron saint. From the top, you can see a
never-before-seen view of Florence. After the San Niccolò Tower, we will
restore the Torre della Zecca and even the communication trenches in San
Frediano . . . [T]hrough these symbols, we can reclaim a little bit of fiorentinità.’
From
July 1 to October 1, guided group tours of the San Niccolò Tower will be
offered in Italian and English by staff at the Museo dei Ragazzi. Visits, which
cost 3 euro, will run every 30 minutes from 4pm to 8pm. Tickets can be
purchased at the tower.
