A new life for four places between Florence and Fiesole

It’s not unusual that buildings with a long history or who boast a long productive activity lose their purpose at some point, and end up being closed up and unused for many years, even decades.

This itinerary will lead you to four places (3 in Florence and one located in the Municipality of Fiesole) that, thanks to new projects, the urban regeneration process and new investors, today have found a new modern life.

The first stop of this itinerary is the immense space of the Manifattura Tabacchi, at the edge of the Parco delle Cascine. This is a district of buildings that were once used for the production of cigars and had fallen into disrepair. The space is gradually being reclaimed with areas dedicated to culture, shopping, study, and private residences. It retains its rationalist and industrial appearance without having undergone drastic changes; it hosts numerous venues frequented by young people of all nationalities. To discover the most vibrant side of Florence, it's worth a visit.

Proceeding towards the center of Florence, there is another vast place, an ancient convent, used for various activities during the centuries (it also served as a tobacco factory) and then left waiting for a new purpose for a long time. Now, however, Sant'Orsola, in the San Lorenzo area, is flourishing again: it retains its structures, even uncovering ancient ones, but on this foundation, something new is being created in order to turn it into a large cultural and research center. Work is currently in progress, and it's worth keeping an eye on because openings are frequent.

The Murate prison was also a convent, as the name suggests; it was abandoned when the prison was moved out of the city. It has undergone an intelligent restoration, housing young businesses, start-ups, and cultural institutions, as well as residences for citizens and common spaces. We are just steps away from Sant'Ambrogio and Santa Croce, and here too, in the two new squares created where the internal courtyards once were, there is a vibrant atmosphere.

The last place of our itinerary is on Via Bolognese, within the municipality of Fiesole, and was once a factory, La Marzocco, known for its espresso machines. The industrial spaces have been restored, and a center, the Espresso Coffee Academy, has been created to share the culture of this beverage, so important to us Italians. The center includes spaces for workshops, presentations, and exhibitions, as well as a small themed library and a historical archive, plus an indoor plantation... definitely worth a visit!