Torre di Maratona is the 55-metre landmark tower of Florence’s Stadio Artemio Franchi at Viale Manfredo Fanti 4, 50137 Firenze, in the Campo di Marte district. Completed in 1931 as part of the stadium designed by engineer Pier Luigi Nervi, it is a defining work of Italian Rationalist sports architecture, best appreciated for its soaring concrete silhouette, stadium setting and place in the city’s football history.
What to Expect at Torre di Maratona
This is not a medieval lookout tower or a conventional ticketed attraction: Torre di Maratona rises above the northeast side of the home ground of ACF Fiorentina. Nervi designed the original stadium, inaugurated as Stadio Giovanni Berta in 1931, with reinforced-concrete engineering at its core. The tower’s extraordinarily slender vertical form, flagpole-like mast and paired external stair structure make it a useful focal point when reading the whole composition of terraces, curves and cantilevered stands around the pitch.
Look closely from Viale Manfredo Fanti and the approaches around the stadium for the contrast between the tower’s clean geometric lines and the older residential streets and plane trees of Campo di Marte. The stadium was renamed for former Fiorentina president Artemio Franchi in 1991, and its 1930s concrete fabric is protected as a significant architectural work. Major stadium redevelopment can alter pedestrian routes and restrict views from some gates; the tower itself has no regular public climb, lift or interior sightseeing programme.
- 55-metre tower: The Marathon Tower is the stadium’s unmistakable vertical marker, designed as part of Nervi’s integrated sports complex.
- Pier Luigi Nervi design: See an early major example of the engineer-architect’s pioneering use of reinforced concrete and structural clarity.
- Historic stadium setting: The 1931 arena has been Fiorentina’s home for generations and was later renamed for Artemio Franchi.
- Exterior architecture walk: Viale Manfredo Fanti and the surrounding public streets give the clearest no-ticket perspectives of the tower.
- Match-day atmosphere: On Fiorentina fixture days, the surrounding Campo di Marte streets fill with supporters; access controls and road closures may apply.
Torre di Maratona at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Viale Manfredo Fanti 4, 50137 Firenze FI, Italy |
| Neighborhood / Area | Campo di Marte, northeast Florence |
| Operating Hours | Exterior visible daily from surrounding public streets; no regular public tower-entry hours. |
| Admission / Price Range | Free to view from outside; stadium or match access requires separately issued tickets. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 20 to 40 minutes for an exterior architecture stop. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Firenze Campo di Marte rail station, about a 10-minute walk; limited event-day street parking. |
| Official Website & Phone | ACF Fiorentina; +39 055 50301 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Come in daylight, ideally on a non-match morning, when the streets are quieter and the tower can be photographed without crowds, temporary barriers or security queues. From Santa Maria Novella station, regional trains to Firenze Campo di Marte are the most direct rail option; allow around 10 minutes on foot from the station to Viale Manfredo Fanti. City buses also serve the Campo di Marte area, but routes can be diverted on match days, so check Autolinee Toscane before setting out.
There is no visitor parking dedicated to the tower. Avoid driving on Fiorentina match days, when local restrictions and crowds make arrival slow; use rail or a taxi instead. Public pavements around the stadium are generally level, though works zones can create narrowed routes and uneven temporary surfaces. The tower interior is not a wheelchair or stroller attraction, but exterior viewing from Viale Manfredo Fanti is possible. Pair the stop with the nearby Mandela Forum, the leafy paths of Parco del Mensola, or a walk west toward Campo di Marte station and its local cafés.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Torre di Maratona open, and when should I go?
The tower is viewed from public streets rather than through a regular attraction entrance, so it can be seen daily. Visit in the morning or early afternoon on a non-match day for clearer sightlines and easier movement around the stadium perimeter.
Is there a ticket to climb Torre di Maratona?
No regular public ticket or tower climb is offered. Viewing the exterior is free; entry to Stadio Artemio Franchi for football matches or special events is controlled by the relevant event organiser and ticketing arrangements.
How long should I budget for the visit?
Allow 20 to 40 minutes to walk the public perimeter, photograph the tower and study the stadium’s concrete forms. Add time if you are combining it with the Mandela Forum or a stroll through Campo di Marte.
Is Torre di Maratona suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can easily incorporate the exterior stop into a Campo di Marte walk, especially outside event periods. The public approach is mostly level, but stadium works and match-day controls can affect routes; there is no public lift or step-free access into the tower itself.
Travelers exploring Florence often pair this stop with nearby highlights including Parco della Villa di Rusciano (2.2 km away).
