From carnivorous plants to an Egyptian temple, you’ll find many treasures in Florence’s parks
Florence, spend some downtime in the city’s top five parks and gardens
to enjoy nature, stretch your legs, and discover hidden treasures.
Boboli Gardens: One
of the most well-known outdoor spaces in Florence, the Boboli Gardens
extend between the Pitti Palace, home to several museums and galleries,
and the 16th-century fortress of Forte Belvedere. Built in the mid
1500s, the Gardens are full of statues, grottoes and fountains, making
it a must-visit site in the area.
Giardino dei Semplici:
This botanical garden, located in Via P.A. Micheli, is one of the oldest
in the world. The garden was established by Cosimo dei Medici in 1545
and serves as a center for the study of medicinal plants. Be sure to
visit the collection of carnivorous plants – but keep your hands to
yourself!
Giardino dell’iris: Located in the Piazzale
Michelangelo, this garden is dedicated to the flower of Florence, the
iris. Only open four weeks a year between April and May, lucky visitors
to this garden will be rewarded with an iris oasis, featuring 3,000
varieties of the flower in a stunning panorama.
Park of the Stibbert Musuem:
This park is a good spot for families, as picnicking is allowed in the
shade of a variety of trees. Take a walk through the park’s classical
sculptures and ruins, making sure to find the pond with an Egyptian
temple rising mysteriously out of its middle.
Villa Medicea di Castello:
The gardens of the Villa di Castello are famously filled with
fountains, sculptures, and a grotto. Original sculptures dating back to
1537 are a must-see, including the Fountain of Hercules and Antaeus,
animated by playful waterworks. The grotto of animals features walls
covered in colorful mosaics, shells and stones, making it another
notable site in the gardens. Those interested in the Medici legacy can
also visit the park of Villa di Petraia, where the gardens were created
by the Medici family with three staggered terraces and an area for dwarf
fruit trees.
