The Falsabraga

The Falsabraga is an advanced work of the Fortezza Nuova, a lower platform compared to the walls, intended for artillery and the sortie of soldiers. From here, the cannons of the fortification were aimed at the opposite bank of the Fosso Reale, about 50 meters further, to hit any approaching enemies.

The Fosso Reale, dug between 1601 and 1603 for about 4 km, isolated the Medici city within the Pentagon of Buontalenti. From the Falsabraga, one can see the San Marco–Pontino district, with its cellars directly overlooking the water.

Today, the Falsabraga is an outdoor cultural space and serves as the natural stage for the departure and arrival of the historic Coppa Barontini, a night rowing race inaugurated in 1966 to pay homage to the partisan Ilio Barontini.