Florence, the birthplace of Dante, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Machiavelli, is one of Italy’s most beautiful and well-visited cities.
Year after year, millions of tourists from around the globe pile into the city to wonder at the majestic works of Leonardo and Michelangelo, learn about the Ponte Vecchio bridge that spans across the river Arno, visit the Boboli gardens and take in a view that overlooks the city.
Florence was also the setting for some of the greatest footballers of modern times to strut their stuff. Roberto Baggio and Gabriel Batistuta tormented visitors to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on a bi-weekly basis in the 1980s and 1990s. The Franchi was also the playground for Manuel Rui Costa, the archetypical low-socked, shirt-untucked, playmaking marvel for the better part of his career.
Built in 1931 and designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, the Franchi has stood the test of time despite nearly being a century old. Of course, there have been renovations carried out over the years, but these have been small tweaks rather than major surgery. However, works have begun at the Curva Fiesole end to increase the venue’s capacity to 42,500.
The majority of the original stadium still stands after all these years with the tower, named ‘Tower of Marathon’ in honour of athletes’ resistance and spirit in the face of competition, a fascist idea from the period, placed firmly in the centre of the stadium.
The Artemio Franchi is located in the Campo-Marte area of the city, a 3km walk from the city centre.
Stadio Artemio Franchi factfile
• Capacity: 43, 325
• Club: Fiorentina
• Opened: 1931
- Address: Viale Manfredo Fanti 4, I-50137, Florence
How to get to Artemio Franchi
Getting to the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence is one of the easier stadiums in the country to reach.
From Florence Santa Maria Novella train station
If you arrive into Florence from the main train station, Santa Maria Novella, you will have to get a connecting train to Campo-Marte, and get out at that station. Alternatively, you can also catch buses 7, 17 or 20 on match-days from Santa Maria Novella station.
From Florence Campo-Marte train station
The nearest train station to the stadium is Campo-Marte, which is only around 400 metres and a short walk away. When you come out of the station, head down Largo Gennarelli until you reach the traffic lights.
From Florence city centre
You can take bus 17 from Piazza San Marco, which is located in the centre of the city, and this will take you to the Artemio Franchi.
You can also walk from the historic centre, which will take around 30 minutes by foot.
By car
It takes around 15 minutes, traffic depending, to arrive at the stadium from the city centre. Take the SS67 in the direction of Via del Campofiore and look out for the signs directing you to the stadium, then turn right onto Viale Manfredo Fanti.
If coming from the A1 Milan-Naples motorway, come off at Firenze Sud exit. Continue down Via Marco Polo and then look for the signs.
How to buy public transport tickets
Like most Italian cities, tickets for public transport can be bought at local tobacco shops. Furthermore, tickets can also be bought online at at-bus.it or via the ‘at-bus’ app on your mobile phone. You can also pay with your card via the tap method.
How to buy tickets to see Fiorentina
Tickets to see Fiorentina play can be bought via VivaTicket.it, the club’s official ticket outlet. Moreover, tickets can also be bought at various licensed outlets around the city.
