Kim Kardashian and Kanye West to Marry in Florence where Baby North was Conceived

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will marry at a fort in the Italian city of Florence on May 24.

The venue for the eagerly awaited wedding has been the focus of much speculation amidst rumours that the ceremony would be held at a chateau in France.

A spokeswoman at the Florence mayor's office has now confirmed that the reality TV star and the rapper will get married at the 16th century Belvedere Fort in Florence next weekend.

The couple have reportedly rented the wedding venue in the Tuscan city for £243,000 ($410,000).

In an interview featured on Florentine news website La Nazione, the rapper revealed he chose the location because the couple's daughter North was conceived there.

"For me Florence is the most beautiful European city and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But the real reason is that Kim and I were on the banks of the river Arno last year on our own incognito. And I think that our daughter North was conceived here amongst the Renaissance masterpieces. It was as if it was our first honeymoon," he is reported as saying.

The rapper said he was feeling 'emotional' about the big day. He told La Nazione: "I'm quite emotional. But also happy. I am a romantic."

West is said to be familiar with the city where the clothes for his fashion label are made.

The 36-year-old is said to have been staying with his designer friend Ermanno Scervino, outside Florence, while he the final preparations for the lavish wedding are made.

The designer's spokesman confirmed the news saying: "It's true. Ermanno has been helping Kanye organise the wedding in Forte Belvedere. They met in Paris earlier this year and have become great friends."

The report has fuelled speculation that the Italian designer will be creating the couple's wedding attire. Both stars have worn Scervino's designs before with Kardashian wearing a lace Scervino creation in Las Vegas in October while celebrating her 33rd birthday.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star had previously said the couple were planning to tie the knot in Paris, however the guests will be in Paris for a pre-wedding dinner before being flown in private planes to Florence for the nuptials.