Fortezza Medicea Restaurant
The fortress, built in 1474, is a high-security prison for criminals serving at least seven years. In 2006, the prison administration instituted the occasional dinners as a rehabilitation scheme. Inmates selected for their good behaviour prepare a multi-course dinner and serve it at the prison. Proceeds are donated to charity. In the inaugural season, the chef was also an inmate, serving a life term; in subsequent years, invited guest chefs have presided. Guests must apply at least two weeks in advance, undergo a background check, and on arrival show identification and be assigned a registration number; cutlery is plastic.
The dinners proved popular and sell out weeks in advance. On release, several inmates have found restaurant jobs. The restaurant operates part-year, one day a month, serving a six-course meal in the former chapel or a courtyard. In September 2007, a seven-course medieval feast was served by inmates in period costume. Operations were suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.