Florence

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Giardino Delle Rose (The Rose Garden)

More Photos
Tolik
Tolik
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
9
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2
Editor Pick

Stopping to Smell the Roses

  • October 8, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
Stopping to Smell the Roses

Designed in 1865 by Giuseppe Poggi, the same architect that designed the famed lookout point, Piazzale Michangelo, the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden) is a beautiful retreat just a short walk from the busy city center. Located on the left bank of the Arno River, and half way up the hillside to the Piazzale, the terraces of the garden offer quiet seating and great views over the rooftops of the city below.

Inspired by French gardens of the same time, this rose garden's layout displays various rose variety dotted on an open landscape with benches, and informational plaques. Rose types vary from modern varieties, ancient names, and cross species. Normally very quiet and not crowded, this nice small garden gives visitors a chance to relax and breathe after a busy day of sightseeing in the city.

Be sure to visit the Japanese garden towards the bottom of the rose terraces, where you'll find designs by the Koadai-Ji Temple in Kioto. Only open for 6 weeks every year, be sure to visit if you're in Florence in May or June. As the saying goes...take time to stop and smell the roses.

• Entrance off Viale Giuseppe Poggi 2, pedestrian entrance from the "Way of the Cross" stairway, just below Piazzale Michelangelo
• Open May 1 through June 15, everyday 8am-8pm
• Admission is free.

From journal A Closer Look at the Gardens of Florence

Editor Pick

Giardino delle Rose

  • August 8, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Tolik from Tampa, Florida
Giardino delle Rose

Giardino delle Rose (the Rose Garden) located on the slopes of the hill below the Piazzale Michelangelo, offers the best view of Florence. There are three ways to reach the beautiful place: First one, our favorite - from the San Niccolò Church walk up along Via Monto alle Croci. At the fork turn left on Via San Salvatore al Monte running along the Rose Garden. You can enter the garden at the lower gate or two hundreds yards up, halfway to the Piazzale Michelangelo. Second way – walk or drive up along Viale Giuseppe Poggi; you will see the garden’s sign on your left. Finally, you can walk down from Piazzale Michelangelo (one level / terrace below). In 1865 Florence became a capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The Municipality of Florence commissioned Giuseppe Poggi to design new public places showing the beauty of the new capital. Giardino delle Rose became one of the first such places in 1865. Atillo Pucci designed first layout of the gardens. Today visitors will find here 1,020 types of roses with total of around 4,000 plants. The terrace in the middle of the garden divides the park in four distinct areas. Below the main terrace is the Japanese Garden. In 1998 the landscape architect Yasuo Kitayama worked here creating the Japanese Garden "Shorai" (the city of Kyoto donated some works from the Zen Temple "Kodai-Ji"). On the very top of the park you can find the Secret Garden, discover it yourself. Of course there is much more then the roses here; the cityscape, the Arno valley and the hills beyond will take your breath away. I bet you will remember the view till the end of your life. Gardino dell Rose is free but open only 6 weeks a year, May 1 through June 16 so plan you trip to Florence accordingly. During the time the gardens open seven days a week 8 AM – 8PM.

From journal The Treasures of Florence

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2

Compare Florence Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Florence Travel Deals