An exciting work in progress, this ex-industrial plant near Parco delle Cascine hosts some of the city's edgiest contemporary art events and happenings. The complex – a stunning example of Rationalist architecture – was built between 1933 and 1940 as a tobacco-processing plant and cigarette factory, operational until 2001. Today creative arts venues, cultural spaces, co-working spaces, artist residencies and start-ups are mushrooming inside the derelict buildings. Cycling paths and walking trails are also injecting new zest into the revitalised 'hood.
Experimental events to watch for include February's Funk e Frattaglie Festival (www.facebook.com/funkfrattaglie) celebrating traditional Florentine street food (offal in particular) and funky music, seasonal cooking workshops introducing both adults and children to both slow food and regenerative agriculture, and eye-opening tech and design labs (how to construct, for example, a piano complete with sound from fruit and veg, or your own air-quality monitoring unit).
