Florence is famousin the whole world for the beauty of its architecture, its art, its numerous museums and its ancient buildings. There is also a well-known open-air museum between its streets, behind the stunning Palazzo Pitti: the “Giardino di Boboli”.
The history of the Garden begins in 1418, when Luca Pitti bought the land to build his palace. Some say that the name “Boboli” derives from the name of the family who owned these property before, called “Borgolo”. The transfer of ownership occurred in 1549, when the Medici family bought the Palazzo and commissioned the Garden realization to Niccolò Tibolo and Batolomeo Ammannati, who succeeded him after his death. Works continued under the Lorena and Savoy families, who adapted the late-Renaissance style to their historical period, adding some contemporary stylistic features. The park was then opened to the public by Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena and it was designated as UNESCO World Heritage in 2013.
It is a historical city park covering 45000 square meters. It’s the biggest, most famous and important example of “Italian Garden” and it has four public entrances (Cortile dell’Ammannati, Forte del Belvedere, Porta Romana, Piazza Pitti).
The Garden Is structured on two axes and it contains boulevards, statues, fountains, mannerist masterpieces, century-old trees, labyrinthic streets immersed in the vegetation and beautiful ancient buildings. One of its parts is the Amphitheater, an ancient stone mine that presents an Egyptian obelisk in its center. Here, you will find the “Bacino di Nettuno” and the fountain built in 1637, called “la Forchetta” (“the fork”) by Florentines. The street connecting the terraces until Porta Romana is called “Viottolone” and its tunnel made of weaved holm oaks creates a really magic atmosphere. In the Garden, you will also be able to see the “Prato del Cavaliere” designed by Michelangelo, the “Grotta di Madama” by Tribolo, the Medicean “Limonaia” and the “Kaffeehaus”, an 18th century structure pained in Lorena's symbolic light-green color.
The most charming spot of the park is probably the “Grotta del Buontalenti”, built in 1583-93 by Vasari and Buontalenti. It’s a three-room space richly decorated with stalagmites, frescos, stalactites and statues. Further to fountains’ water games, the grotto used to contain a large basin with many fishes in it. The first room recreates a natural ambience with many animal sculptures and it also hosted Michelangelo’s “Prigioni”, now conserved in Accademia Gallery. The second room contains Vincenzo de Rossi’s statues portraying Paris and Hellen while the third, darker room presents Giambologna’s “Venus”. The general decoration theme is the secret love meetings between Grand Duke Francis I and his lovers. The artistic style is Mannerist, as it’s based on the fusion between artificial and natural features.
What are you waiting for? Plan your visit to Boboli Gardens! The full ticket costs 7€, the reduced-price is 3,50€ and entrance is free for under-18s. The Garden is open every day from 8am, but we suggest checking opening hours on the official website, as they vary from month to month.
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