Gran Caffè San Marco
District
Duomo
History
Since 1860
In 1870, in Piazza San Marco, the Caffè San Marco opened, originally named Caffè Fanti in honor of General Manfredo Fanti, to whom the statue in the center of the square is dedicated. The area was surrounded by museums, offices, libraries, the Academy of Fine Arts, the Marucelliana Library, and the historic headquarters of the University of Florence, which quickly made it a popular meeting place for students, professors, and intellectuals. Around 1920, some members of “L’Italia Futurista,” such as Lucio Venna and the musician Bastianelli, could be frequently found there. Another distinguished visitor was Luigi Russio, who took over the direction of “Il Leonardo” during those years. By the late 1930s, Caffè San Marco became especially known as a gathering place for individuals involved in various cultural fields, almost all of whom were openly anti-fascist, such as the philosopher Garin, the writer Ramat, the poet Fortini, and the painter Nomellini. This intellectual vibrancy continued throughout the 1940s and 1950s, attracting avant-garde literary movements like the Hermetists, the writer and philosopher Carlo Bo, future rector of the University of Urbino, the poet and Nobel candidate Luzi, and many professors from the nearby university. In 1961, Caffè San Marco changed management, and although the space was renovated and restored, it continued to serve as a cultural hub for the city.
Contacts
Address: P.za San Marco, 11/r
Website: http://www.grancaffesanmarco.it
Email: info@grancaffesanmarco.it
Phone: +39 055 215833