One day I told my hubby I wanted a garden, knowing I kill almost whatever is planted this translated to…”You plant a garden”. Well, he happens to be fairly good at planting and keeping things pretty if he has time to tend to it. We have produced some lovely landscaping and even a few herbs and tomatoes.
In 1545 Eleonora di Toledo, the Spanish wife of Cosimo I thought her health would improve if she moved to a more rural part of Florence. “Oltrarno” means “across the Arno” and historically had been where the lower class citizens lived. A lovely area filled with merchants and craftsman,Cosimo built the Palazzo Pitti which became the new home for the Medici family. He also planted her a garden…The Boboli Gardens surround the palace and boy what a garden!! It is now Florence’s largest public garden although you must pay admission to enter. I recommend the combo ticket and enjoy the many museums now in the Palace as well. There is also a nice little place to sit, grab a coffee or snack inside the courtyard too.
In the entrance courtyard, you are greeted with a lovely grotto, gift shop, 3 museums, and plenty of fresh air and sunshine. The lovely Grotto includes works by Michelangelo and de Rossi, beautiful iron work and of course some paintings on the walls! Walking straight ahead they will take your ticket and you will begin the climb up to the garden areas.
The Gardens include famous sculptures such as “Neptune” up the hill in the middle of the pond. This dates back to 1588. The mazes of cypress and ilex create hours of exploring. Most people (including myself) rarely make it to the far right of the garden which includes the fountain called Little Island. Up Up Up the steps from the amphitheatre is Forte di Belvedere which has rose gardens, lovely views of Florence and currently holds more of the Medici china.
There are so many paths to explore, so many statues to admire…it is a great moment to break away and breath a bit after all the museaums in Florence. You are even allowed to take a picnic! I encourage you to explore at many different time s of the year!
The entrance to to Palace-just cross the Arno via Ponte Vecchio and keep walking a bit.
The amphitheatre which housed the first Opera’s in Florence.
Climbing higher and higher toward the rose garden-looking back on Neptune…
Great view of Florence from the top!
Neptune spears his fish-but all we saw were frogs!
Another nice view from high above the pond.
Made it to the top-entering the rose garden …
So many trails to follow….where does this one lead?
