Florence skyline controversy over large rooftop antenna near historic centre

A large mobile phone antenna installed on a building in viale Belfiore, just outside the historic centre of Florence, has sparked a public dispute over its visual impact on the city’s skyline and the procedures that allowed its installation.

According to local reports, the white telecommunications repeater stands out for its size and position, partially obstructing views of the dome of Florence Cathedral and the basilica of San Lorenzo Basilica from certain angles.

Authorisation in place, but concerns over scale

Antonella Ranaldi, head of the local office of the Italian Ministry of Culture responsible for heritage protection (Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio), acknowledged that the structure appears unusually large. She said the installation had received landscape authorisation, making any intervention after the fact difficult.

Ranaldi indicated that the antenna has been in place since at least early 2023 and may have previously been reported, but only recently attracted wider attention following media coverage and photographs highlighting its scale.

She also noted the broader challenge of balancing infrastructure needs with heritage protection, pointing out that limiting antennas can affect mobile coverage, which is now considered an essential service.

Dispute over approval process

Florence mayor Sara Funaro criticised the Soprintendenza’s position, stressing that the approval process for such installations follows a defined legal framework involving multiple bodies, including ARPAT, Tuscany’s regional environmental protection agency.

Funaro explained that, under Italian law, the Soprintendenza has 60 days to issue an opinion on projects affecting protected landscapes. If no response is given within that timeframe, the project is considered approved under the principle of “silent consent”.

She argued that this mechanism still constitutes a formal authorisation and said public institutions should take responsibility for their role in the process.

Limited options for removal

Ranaldi later suggested that removing the antenna could be difficult unless the property owner voluntarily agrees to modify or dismantle it. She added that it is unclear whether there are legal grounds to intervene after authorisation has been granted.

Funaro, in turn, called for further clarification, stating that if the approval process had flaws, they should be clearly identified and explained.

A recurring debate on Florence’s skyline

The case adds to a series of recent disputes in Florence over the visual impact of new structures near the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its distinctive skyline dominated by Renaissance landmarks.

Recent examples include the controversy over the so-called black cube or black and white box installed at the former Teatro Comunale site, later followed by debate over newly built white riverbank walls along the Arno, both criticised for their visual impact.

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