Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence

The Boboli Gardens are one of the most beautiful places in Italy. It offers us, in addition to its natural beauty, an impressive peace. The Garden of Versailles, France, was inspired by this piece of Italian paradise. Let’s get to our post of the day! Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence! Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patricia you make the trip of your dreams!!! Also: see our “Acommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”

Video with beautiful images of the Boboli Gardens in Florence

(Source: MonYogui)

Our Introduction

The Boboli Garden, behind the Pitti Palace, is a historic park in Florence. It was the Grand Ducal Garden, created by Cosimo I of Medici. It is decorated with statues and fountains and was enlarged by Cosimo II. A UNESCO heritage site, the Garden receives around 800,000 visitors every year. Read also How to go to Florence from Rome? and How to go to Pisa from Florence?

A bit of the history of Boboli Gardens

The first lands purchased here were from Cione di Bonaccorso Pitti and date back to 1341. The origin of the name Boboli, most likely, came from the union of the surnames of the Borgolo or Borgoli families, who were the previous owners of the territory. The land came into the hands of Luca Pitti in 1418, forty years before the construction of the building that bears his name, the Pitti Palace.

With the transfer of the estate to the Medici in 1549, Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de ‘Medici, began improvements to the site as well as its expansion. Passionate about gardens, she wanted the architect of the garden to be Niccolò Tribolo, who ten years earlier had already worked in the gardens of Vila Medici, in Castello. However, Tribolo died shortly afterwards, in 1550, and the direction of the works passed to Bartolomeo Ammannati and, finally, to Bernardo Buontalenti. During the reign of Cosimo II (1609-1621), the garden underwent its most important expansion and almost tripled its extension. Those responsible for the works were Giulio Parigi and his son Alfonso, who created the second axis called Viottolone. At that time, the garden was opened to the public for the first time, of course, with limitations, during the reign of Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena. In June 2013, the Boboli Gardens became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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1) Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence: VISIT THE FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE

What we see today has undergone some transformations over the centuries, but all the improvements have been worth it: the gardens have a triangular configuration, subtly elongated, with steep slopes and two almost perpendicular axes that intersect near the Fountain of Neptune, one of the highlights of the Gardens.

A little more about the Fountain of Neptune

The Fountain of Neptune was created between 1777 and 1778 and was an alternative to creating a nursery. Here the waters that irrigate the entire garden are collected. In the center of the fountain, we can see the statue of the god of the sea emerging from a rocky spur. The main statue is the work of the sculptor Stoldo Lorenzi, from 1571, and the fountain is called by the locals “the Fountain of the Fork”, because of the trident wielded by Neptune in the act of striking. Around the fountain are sloping terraces and lawns, which mimic the shape of the amphitheater below. From the central routes, there are a series of terraces and paths with perspective views where statues, clearings, small walled gardens and ancient roses stand: the whole garden offers incredible and magical panoramas from every angle.

2) Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence: VISIT THE GIARDINO DEL CAVALIERE

Another attraction is the Giardino del Cavaliere (“Garden of the Knight”), one of Boboli’s walled gardens. To access it, go up a staircase with curved ramps and cross a small terrace built over a small circular room. This ‘little climb’ was designed by Zanobi del Rosso between 1790 and 1793. The two statues that decorate the stairs depict Flora and Jupiter, both by Giovanni Battista Caccini. The garden is decorated with plants that create beautiful geometric shapes and contain rare and fragrant species of dahlias and roses.

Fontana delle Scimmie

The central fountain is called the Fontana delle Scimmie (“Fountain of the Monkeys”) because of the three bronze monkeys at the base of the fountain. Here you will also find the Cavaliere Casino, a building built around 1700, commissioned by Cosimo III. This was where Cardinal Leopoldo de Medici gathered influential names from the Florentine arts and literature for long, drink-filled conversations. The current forms are sober; the walls are decorated with terracotta vases and statues and everything is well maintained. Boboli’s privileged position still offers panoramic views up to Gallo Tower, where we can see agricultural land partially planted with olive trees.

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3) Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence: VISIT THE MOSTACCINO FOUNTAIN AND THE CAMELLIA COLLECTION

Here we also find the Mostaccini Fountain, which is a 17th century example of old bird troughs. A part of the garden is entirely dedicated to the Camellia collection, which began in the 17th century and which, today, thanks to the work of the gardeners, has been partially recovered after a period of decline. Between 2000 and 2005, there was a major restoration and cleaning of the external and internal environments to make the building functional again.

4) Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence: VISIT LIMONAIA

In addition to all the beauties immersed in nature, walking along the right side, which runs along the Via Romana, you will find Limonaia, used for Cosimo’s experiences, to which we owe the import of the famous lemons in Tuscany that sprout during winter, taking advantage of the ideal climate to grow strong and beautiful. Nowadays it is possible to admire the citrus plants that date from the Medici period, there are also exotic plants cultivated there, such as pineapple, coffee, bergamot, grapefruit among others.

5) Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence: VISIT THE KAFFEEHAUS PAVILION

Also unmissable is the 18th-century Kaffeehaus Pavilion, which is a Rococo-style building, built in 1778 by Pietro Leopoldo. It was here that the family gathered friends to drink hot chocolates and excellent coffees together with their guests, but also to relax from the obligations of public life, enjoying the suggestive view over the park and the city. Be sure to also take a walk in the system of galleries formed by ‘circles of nature’, which makes us relive the whole atmosphere of the glories of the court.

Boboli Gardens Attractions Map

Useful information

Official Website for more information – CLICK HERE!
“No-Line” Ticket to Boboli Gardens – CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE!
Boboli Gardens with Guided Tour – CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens Private Tour – CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

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Hotels I recommend in the Historic Center

In the Historic Center (Old Town), is really easy to admire all the main attractions of the city very easily. The old town of Florence corresponds to the oldest and most beautiful part of the city. If you want to stay in the real heart of Florence, choose hotels in the central areas of Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Cathedral, Gallery of Offices, etc.

If you want some indications of hostels (or B&B) and apartments, I have some options that I suggest if you want to save money; click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices!

If you prefer hotels, I have some options that I recommend with great cost benefit! Click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion, make your reservation and guarantee good prices.

Hotels that I recommend in Oltrarno

Always staying very close to the Historic Center, you can also stay in Oltrarno, close to the most characteristic craft shops in the whole city and much more. The area is perfect for those who want quiet accommodation and for those who want to breathe the real Florentine atmosphere. At the same time, you will be close to the center of Florence, a short walk from the main monuments, squares, churches, restaurants, shops and museums.

Hotels that I recommend in Santa Maria Novella

Another interesting neighborhood to stay is Santa Maria Novella. This is a particularly exclusive area because of the proximity to the station (great if you want to do a lot of tours leaving from Florence) and the famous Church of Santa Maria Novella, a very important reference in Florence.

Hotels that I recommend in Santa Croce

Another neighborhood where you can stay is Santa Croce, where the homonymous church is located. This area, located in the southeastern part of the historic center, is close to the most interesting monuments and has its fulcrum in the church of Santa Croce. Among the scenic palaces in this district, there are many hotels that can accommodate you for a wonderful weekend in Florence.

Hotels that I recommend in Campo di Marte

Another economic possibility, where you can stay in Florence, is Campo di Marte; in this area there are several well-equipped and affordable hotels. It is a quiet and charming residential area in Florence, well connected to the historic city center by public transport. Campo di Marte has its own train station where several regional and high-speed trains stop, with which you can easily reach other Tuscan cities and major cities in Italy. It is a great choice if you have rented a car too.

Hotels I recommend outside the Historic Center

And so, if you decide to breathe a less touristic air, a good choice could be to stay in Florence right outside the historic center, where hotel prices are cheaper and the most convenient solution if you come by car. Another possibility is to stay away, in some nearby town, and experience the silence of the wonderful Tuscan landscape, but in this case it is necessary to have a car.

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Baronessa B&B Florence

Hotel Orcagna
Ville sul Arno

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Conclusion

Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence. We could spend days telling you what you’ll find in Boboli Gardens, we could give you all the possible and imaginable ‘spoilers’, but besides time, we would lack characters… hahaha… But one certainty you can have: even if you read and reread all about Boboli Gardens, only when you are there will you be able to experience all the beauty and magic that surrounds this fantastic place in Florence.

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