"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium
now the "Artemio Franchi" Municipal Stadium
Viale Manfredo Fanti 4a
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium. Main façade and V.I.P. entrance, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 18.
Construction began in 1930 on the site of extensive fields known as the Campo di Marte, formerly used for military exercises when Florence was the capital of Italy (1865-70).
The first stage of the project was completed in 1931, but in June 1932 it was decided to build a new grandstand, the Marathon Tower (a bold and slender reinforced concrete structure over fifty metres tall) and the three staircases providing access to the uncovered grandstands. This cutting-edge design by engineer Pier Luigi Nervi adopted the most complex construction techniques and the most sophisticated aesthetic solutions of the day. The façade was designed by municipal engineer Alessandro Giuntoli. The stadium hosted several of the 1934 World Cup matches. The stadium was named after Giovanni Berta, a Fascist militant slain in 1921. After the war it reverted to the simple name of Stadio Comunale [Municipal Stadium], and in 1992 it changed its name again to become the Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi. It was partially altered for the 1990 World Cup.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: Completing the new uncovered grandstands. Wooden scaffolding, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 19.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: Iron scaffolding for the spiral staircase leading to the uncovered grandstands, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 19.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: The "Marathon Tower" under construction, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 20.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: V.I.P. hall, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 21.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: Hall leading to the V.I.P. grandstand, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 21.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: A staircase leading to the terrace, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 22.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: A gallery under the covered grandstand, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 22.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: The covered grandstand, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 23.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: The pitch seen from the top of the covered grandstand, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 23.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: Side staircase leading to the covered grandstand, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 24.
"Giovanni Berta" Municipal Stadium: Spiral staircase in the V.I.P. hall, ASCFi, Firenze, 1932, 9-10, p. 24.
International football matches at the Municipal Stadium, ASCFi, Firenze, 1934, 1, p. 30.
