Boboli Gardens (Giardini di Boboli) Reviews (Florence, Italy)

Giardino di Boboli

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

May 5, 2011

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If you're happy decided to look into the Palazzo Pitti in the morning, do not forget after dinner stroll in the Boboli gardens, which served as a model for the creation of Versailles. Sometime in the alleys of the garden the Duke and his courtiers ...Read more If you're happy decided to look into the Palazzo Pitti in the morning, do not forget after dinner stroll in the Boboli gardens, which served as a model for the creation of Versailles. Sometime in the alleys of the garden the Duke and his courtiers played hide and seek and catch birds. In the pond grown fish that were served to the table. Everywhere seething life. From the life of the trees, fountains and statues. Neptune with a trident. Statue of "Abundance". Actually, it was conceived as John of Austria, wife of Francesco I. But he loved another woman, and John was abandoned. And in life, and in the stone. For a long time lain in a drawer, a statue in the end she saw the light, but as an allegorical figure. "

In the courtyard of the Palazzo Pitti held tournaments, and wedding celebrations. Top actors and artists of that time argued for the right to create costumes and scenery celebrations. Once the mechanics at the yard of the boards was knocked makeshift pool. As he poured the water and made a "sea" in the manner of presentation of the show from the Roman Colloseo where gladiators, though they fought for real.

If the search is strongly in the same court can find relief a donkey. Unfortunate animal's nice to work for the construction of the palace and izdohlo from work. There are plenty of monuments of donkeys in a figurative sense. But so that the monument has got an ass-natural - a rarity ...

Once in the Boboli gardens located city zoo. Lions, symbols of the Republic, the Florentines initially held at the city's main square near the Palazzo Vecchio. Stone Florentine lion, "Il Marzocco", and now it sits on its pedestal, holding in its claws a shield with the Ducal Florentine lily. But later the Lions moved to the Palazzo Pitti. An eyewitness described how the Duke and his entourage from the edge of a specially dug pits observed on the occasion down the battle of predators. Pounded lions back in their "flat" tricky machine as a huge green dragon on wheels. Inside was driving the car a man in his hands he held two burning torches - Eye Dragon. " "From such a horror of the world's worst rogue popryachetsya into his hole," - wrote an eyewitness.

In 1488 the Egyptian sultan gave Florence a giraffe. Long-necked animal became a favorite of the townspeople. People every day, ran to look, with a tenderness and grace of a giraffe takes the apples from the hands of small children. With the onset of winter, the Florentines were burning huge bonfires to warm the animal. To their great regret giraffe gave ends next year. Close

From journal The “Cradle of the Renaissance”

The Gardens of Catherine D'Medici

by actonsteve

London, United Kingdom

December 17, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo On this trip if there is an image of Tuscany in the summer that sticks in my mind – it has to be the swallows.They appear in the skies above Florence from about four o’clock onwards, twisting and turning in the air like little phantoms and emitting ...Read more On this trip if there is an image of Tuscany in the summer that sticks in my mind – it has to be the swallows.

They appear in the skies above Florence from about four o’clock onwards, twisting and turning in the air like little phantoms and emitting tight little shrieks. They wing their way from one little apricot building to another. I often wonder what happened to the swifts and swallows I remember as a child – well, they are here. They have emigrated to Tuscany and seem especially prevalent in the enchanting Boboli gardens.

At one point during your stay in Florence you will feel the need to get away from the cultural overload and crowds. The thought of stretching out on the green lawns with a pachito and bottle of Chianti may be irresistible. The gardens are on the south bank of the Arno up in the hills overlooking the city. They are reached from the north bank by the famous Ponte Vecchio. I love the Ponte during the early morning or late at night when it is lit up with gas lamps but during a summer afternoon you can crowd surf from one end to another. The famous goldsmith shops along its length can barely be glimpsed through the throng.

On the other side is Oltrano which spans the city centre along the southern bank of the Arno. It is slightly less touristy but those who do come arrive to see the Pitti Palace – the renaissance palace of the Medici whose gardens are the main attraction. The great brown bulk of the Palace has its own piazza. The Pitti were a rival mercantile power in Florence who were eventually toppled by the Medici. The palace is crammed with artworks by the Medici and you can enter the gardens from there but I went for the far western entrance on Via Romana.

The gardens are not free and cost 7 Euros. Once through you can climb the gravel paths. The gardens are very green and dotted with pine trees. There are no natural springs in the gardens so the Arno has to be diverted to water them in a series of pumps and cisterns. They are also set on the summit of a hill which is a hard climb in the heat. White marble statues adorn the track harbouring little grottoes and bowers. At the top of the hill is a lawn area with a balustrade. The balustrade gives extensive views of Florence across the Arno where the dome of the Duomo can be seen in the distance.

A zigzag gravel path leads down to the hill to the rear of the Pitti Palace. Here is a manmade amphitheatre with a lawn that stretches uphill dotted with statues and flowerbeds. Leading from here down to the river is the set of manmade grottoes. The most famous one is by Buonorotti with frescoes of Greek and Roman gods and covered in seashells.

There was a statue and flowerbed dedicated to Catherine D’Medici near the grottoes. Catherine D’Medici was one of history’s monsters and despite what revisionist historians have said about her there is overwhelming proof that it was she who pushed for the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre in 1572 where thousands of Protestants were murdered. It’s hard to think of such dangerous politics while wandering these sunny elegant gardens. But they are just as much a part of it as the statues fountains, and flitting swallows.

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From journal A Quantum of Italy: Lovely Siena and Around

The Largest and Most Famous of Florence's Gardens

by airynfaerie

St. Augustine, Florida

October 8, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Florence's largest and most famous garden is unequivocally Il Giardino di Boboli (Boboli Garden). Created between 1550-1558, this landscape masterpiece was carried out by designer Niccolo Pericoli who was hired by the famous Florentine Medici ...Read more

From journal A Closer Look at the Gardens of Florence

Giardino di Boboli

by pointofnoreturn

Ottawa, Ontario

August 26, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The Boboli Gardens is housed within Palazzo Pitti and are one of the most unique gardens in Italy. It was said to be originally designed for the great Medici family. The gardens span a great distance and it would be impossible to visit every nook ...Read more The Boboli Gardens is housed within Palazzo Pitti and are one of the most unique gardens in Italy. It was said to be originally designed for the great Medici family. The gardens span a great distance and it would be impossible to visit every nook and cranny. Palazzo Pitti/Boboli Gardens is a short 10-15 minutes walk from the train station and/or Ponte Vecchio. There are no buses that pass the Palace but Bus No. 8, 11, 36, and 37 can drop a visitor off nearby. Check with the bus schedules and map to ensure the drop-off points are close enough for you to proceed from there.

Opening hours of the Boboli Gardens vary according to season. For the high season, it is typically open daily from 8:15am to 6:30pm. It is closed on the last Monday of every month as well as holidays. General admission to Palazzo Pitti includes Boboli Gardens, the Porcelain Gallery, Costume Gallery and Bardini Gardens. Admission is €6 with reduced rates (50%) for EU citizens. Tickets can be reserved over the phone with Firenze Musei (+39 055294883) which incurs a small reservation fee per ticket (€3). However, it is not necessary because lines are smaller than that at Uffizi/Accademia as well as fast-moving. Admission is free during Culture Week (in which we took advantage of) so I always advise budget travellers to schedule their Italy trips during then.

Boboli Gardens is not for the elderly or weak of heart. There are many slopes and stairs - often steep and laborious. Flower fans will be disappointed to see that the Gardens consist mostly of lush greeneries and hedges that make up a maze within the Gardens. Nevertheless, it is worth coming to the Gardens to admire the beautiful Renaissance statues and fountains. At the very top of the Gardens, you'll walk upon steep slopes to reach the highest point of Palazza Pitti and enjoy a beautiful view of the palace below you as well as a view of Florence! There are also a few grottos in the Gardens and while they don't match the awe-inspiring grottos of Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli - they are certainly photogenic and something unique to look at.

While I was disappointed to find that there were hardly any flowers at Boboli Gardens (You would think that any place with the word "Gardens" in it would not be short of flowers!), I did enjoy my time by having a relaxing stroll around the place. I didn't feel up to visiting the residential museums so cannot offer any insight into them. It was certainly a nice change from the overload of museums I'd been experiencing and I would recommend this to anyone with plenty of strength to tackle the awful sloping paths! Close

From journal 3 Nights in Fabulous Florence

The Boboli Gardens

by mlmeredith

St. Louis, Missouri

August 10, 2007

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The Boboli Gardens are a special place, even on a very hot day, large and expansive. So expansive that I find it difficult to imagine them crowded. You could wander all day long, and never pass the same lush place twice.It’s all a marriage of ...Read more

From journal First Time to Italy

Boboli Gardens

by traveller22

Natick, Massachusetts

February 8, 2006

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I spent many afternoons in the Boboli Gardens with my painting supplies. It was a wonderful respite from the busy city life, and bringing a camera or paints is a wonderful way to document some of your trip, even for the novice painter. If you have ...Read more

From journal 4 Months in Florence, Italy

Boboli Gardens

by SvetaB

Cleveland, Ohio

November 26, 2005

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Best of IgoUgo The garden, which didn't have any flowers, was a massive landscape with woods, a vineyard, fountains, and endless mazes of bushes. From the hilltop (which is quite a hike in the Italian heat), you can see the entire city of Florence. Once again, I ...Read more

From journal A Day in Florence

Boboli Gardens

by ShannonBrooke

Somerville, Massachusetts

December 27, 2004

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It is said that the design of Boboli Gardens formed the basis for all other European gardens, including Versailles. Boboli Gardens, built by the fabulous palazzo of the Medici, is now a public garden to be enjoyed by all. Its cypress alleyways, ...Read more

From journal Fabulous Florence

Touring the Bóboli Gardens - Part Two

by Tolik

Tampa, Florida

August 8, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo On the 1st terrace behind the Amphitheater are three Roman statues. On the upper level is a large fishpond surrounded by terraces planted with trees. Here is the famous Neptune Fountain. A short detour to the left leads through romantic winding ...Read more On the 1st terrace behind the Amphitheater are three Roman statues. On the upper level is a large fishpond surrounded by terraces planted with trees. Here is the famous Neptune Fountain. A short detour to the left leads through romantic winding alley overshadowed by ilex trees and a cypress grove, to the rococo Kaffeehaus, built in 1776(unfortunately it was closed for restoration during our visit). In the garden in front (where we enjoyed fantastic view of Florence) is the Ganymmede Fountain. From the Neptune Fountain steps continue to the top of garden and a colossal statue of Abundance. From here another breathtaking view embraces the whole city, beyond the Pittti Palace and the tower of Santo Spirito. A short double flight of steps continues to the Glardino del Cavaliere, a secluded garden on a bastion constructed by Michelangelo in 1529. The fountain has three monkeys and a cupid. The view the terrace is awesome, embracing the outskirts of the city. On the left is the bastion of Forte di Belvedere, then, behind a group of cypresses, San Miniato with its tower. To the right is the residential area of Bobolino beside a splendid stretch of the city wails. Here, in the Casino Cavaliere, you will find the Museo delle Porcellane (Chinaware museum). Admission to the garden includes the museum as well. Do not miss the museum. The flight of steps brought us down between Muses to the Prato dell' Uccellare, with a grove of cedars of Lebanon. To the left the magnificent long Vittolone descends steeply through the gardens. The majestic cypress avenue is lined with marvelous statues. A path left ends at a colossal bust of Jupiter. Alfonso Parigi laid out Isolotto, the fountain island, in 1618. It is a circular moat with fine sculptural decorations and a copy of Giambologna's Fountain of Oceanus (original in the Bargello. In the niches in the surrounding hedge are restored 17 century statues. A path turns right and continues past more greenhouses to emerge by the charming 18th century Meridiana of Palazzo Pitti wing (with the Costume Museum, closed during our visit). Close

From journal The Treasures of Florence

Touring the Bóboli Gardens - Part One

by Tolik

Tampa, Florida

August 8, 2004

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Best of IgoUgo We will tour this huge park clockwise, the trip will take 2 – 4 hours (you can escape earlier). Turn left from the entrance arch and you will find the so-called 'Fontana del Bacco', really an amusing statue of Pietro Barbino, the dwarf of Cosimo I, ...Read more We will tour this huge park clockwise, the trip will take 2 – 4 hours (you can escape earlier). Turn left from the entrance arch and you will find the so-called 'Fontana del Bacco', really an amusing statue of Pietro Barbino, the dwarf of Cosimo I, seated on a turtle, created by Valerie Cioli (1560). Here can be seen the last stretch of the Corridoio Vasariano from the Uffizi Palace. A path descends to the most popular place in the park - Grotta del Buontalenti, named after its architect (1583-93). The two statues of Apollo and Ceres in the niches on the façade (begun by Vasasi) are by Baccie Bandinelli, and the decoration above was added by Giovanni del Tadda. The walls of the 1st chamber are covered with weird figures and fake stalactites carved in the limestone by Piero Tommaso Mati (again, designed by Buontalenti). In the four corners are copies of Michelangelo's unfinished Slaves (the originals are in the Academia). The charmingly painted vault is by Bernardino Poccetti. Beyond an erotic group of Paris abducting Helen, by Vincenzo de’ Rossi, the innermost grotto contains a beautiful statue of Venus emerging from her bath (1565) by Giambologna, and pretty murals by Poccetti. From the Grotta del Buontalenti a narrow path leads up to the Grotticina di Madama , commissioned by Eleonora di Toledo, and the first grotto to be built in the gardens (1553-55), by Bandili and Giovanni Fancelli. It was locked during our visit but you can see the most of it from outside - stalactites and bizarre goats. Now return to terrace behind the Pitti Palace. The main path emerges on the terrace, overlooking the courtyard and Fontana del Carciofo (by Francesco Susini (1661). It replaced a fine fountain by Ammannati (now recomposed in the Bargello). From the terrace there is a magnificent view of the Duomo and Campanile behind Orsanmichele. Ammannati laid out the area around the Amphitheater, in imitation of a Roman circus. The first opera Dafni was performed here in 1597 (remember, I told you that Florentines invented opera). The vast amphitheater facing the palace courtyard was designed in 1630-35 Giulio and Alfonso Parigi for the spectacles held here by the Medici which culminated in the festivities for the marriage of Cosimo, son of Ferdinand II with Margaret Louise of Orleans in 1661. The earliest opera whose music survived in its entirety, is Euridice, premiered in the Pitti Palace on occasion of the proxy marriage Maria de’Medici to Henry IV, the King of France. The huge granite basin comes from the Bath of Caracalla. The genuine obelisk of Rameses II (1500 BC) was taken from Heliopolis (or from Luxor?) by Romans in 30 BC, and somehow found its way to the Villa Medici in Rome in the 17th C. The obelisk was brought here in 1790 from Rome. Close

From journal The Treasures of Florence

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