The Boboli Gardens are a historic site in Florence, Italy. The gardens are located behind the Palazzo Pitti and were created by the ruling Medici family. The Boboli Gardens are considered to be one of the first and most influential formal Italian gardens. They cover an area of approximately 111 acres and feature a wide variety of plants, sculptures, fountains, and structures. The main features of the gardens include the Isolotto (a small artificial island), the amphitheatre, the grotto, and the cascades.
The Boboli Gardens are a beautiful and historic landmark in Florence, Italy. They are a perfect example of an Italian Renaissance garden and have been influential in the development of many other gardens since their establishment in the 16th century. The Boboli Gardens cover approximately 111 acres and are located just south of the Palazzo Pitti, the main residence of the Medici family. The gardens were originally created as a private retreat for the Medici family, but they have been open to the public since 1766.
Built in the mid-16th century, Boboli Gardens are one of the first formal Italian gardens. The beauty of these gardens is mesmerizing with the visible four centuries of construction and renovation by different monarchs. There are a number of beautiful sculptures and fountains located throughout the gardens namely the Fountain of Bacchus, Giant Flat Face Statue, etc.
Today, the Boboli Gardens are open to the public and remain one of Florence's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can explore the numerous statues and fountains that dot the grounds, as well as take in sweeping views of the city from various vantage points.
Highlights
• Explore the Boboli Gardens which is home to an incredible array of plant life!
• Visit the garden as it is a great place to relax and soak up some of Florence's famous Mediterranean sun.
• With over 111 acres of green space, the gardens offer plenty of room to explore and enjoy the outdoors. There are also numerous benches where you can take a break from walking and enjoy the scenery.
• If you're interested in history, the Boboli Gardens are a great place to learn about some of Florence's past. The gardens offer a glimpse into how the wealthy families of Renaissance Italy lived.
• The Boboli Gardens are also home to several sculptures and works of art. These include pieces by artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Giambologna. If you're an art lover, you'll definitely want to spend some time exploring the gardens' many art treasures.
How To Reach
By Bus: you can take the 11 and D buses from Centraal Station to reach the destination. If you are in the Oltrande area of Florence, then you can take buses from Coach Station Square in the Piazza Ferrucci direction that will take you to The Boboli Gardens in less than 15 minutes.
By Car: The closest car parking available is Porta Romana from where you can take a walk to reach the destination since it's a traffic-restricted area.
By Foot: The best way to reach the Boboli Gardens is to take a walk from the center of the city of Florence. You can reach the Saint Maria Novella Station and take a walk for 20-25 mins around the city to get to Boboli Gardens.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit the Boboli Gardens is during the months of May to September when the weather is warm and pleasant with music festivities filling up the air. Plan your visit in the early hours of the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
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Other Essential Information
Location: Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Florence, Italy
Opening Hours: The Boboli Gardens open at 8:30 am in the morning from Monday to Sunday.
Closing Hours: 4:30 pm in January, February, November and December.
5:30 pm in March and October
6:30 pm in April, May, September and in March and October with daylight savings time
7:30 pm June, July, and August
Closing Days: The Boboli Gardens remain closed on the first and last Monday of each month and also on the 1st of January and 25th of December every year. It might also remain closed during emergencies and bad weather conditions.
The Last Admission Time: An hour prior to the closing time.
Tips To Visit The Boboli Gardens:
- Book your tickets to the Boboli Gardens well in advance to avoid long queues.
- Use of microphones, speakers and amplification systems is forbidden inside the gardens.
- Throwing any sort of litter on the grounds, picking up flowers, bringing bicycle helmets, damaging the structures etc. are strictly prohibited.
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Architecture and landscape of the Boboli Gardens
The architecture and the landscape of the Boboli Gardens is quite interesting and notable. There are several structures in the garden whose unique structure and unconventional building plans will help you learn more about the styles of Florentine architecture. The Kaffeehaus and the Lemon House which was built to provide protection to the citrus plants during the harsh winters are two most beautiful buildings inside the garden. There are several grottos in the garden that add up to its beauty and the most significant among them is the Grotto of Adam and Eve, located in the line of the entrance gateway. The Boboli Amphitheater is another noteworthy place inside the garden and enhances the layout of its landscape.
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Sculptures and Fountains
During your visit to the Boboli Gardens, you will come across several stunning sculptures and fountains projected all over the garden. All the sculptures and fountains are the works of legendary artists and will make you pause and admire their sheer brilliance. ‘Jupiter seated’, ‘Apollo’ and ‘Ceres’ are some of the most notable sculptures of Baccio Bandinelli whose works were inspired by his great passion for the ancient world. Another sculpture that will truly draw your attention is the ‘Tindaro Screpolato’, created by the Polish architect Mitoraj. The figure is of a character from Greek mythology named Tyndareus which Mitoraj reconstructed into a symbol that represents the fragile human life. Among the fountains, the most significant is the ‘Artichoke Fountain’ which is a classic example of Florentine Mannerist sculpting. This fountain and its intricate detailing will surely astonish you and tell you a lot about the sculpting practices during the early centuries.
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Botany
The Boboli Gardens houses a wide variety of plants and flowers along with all the beautiful structures and fountains. The citrus and rose plants are the greatest assets of the garden. Citrus Limon Mellarosa, Citrus Aurantifolia Neapolitanum and Citrus Medica Florentina are the three types of citrus that are grown in the Gardens and are very fragrant. Several species of roses such as Rosa Banksiae Alba Plena, Rosa Banksiae Lutea, Rosa Blue Magenta, Rosa Centifolia Muscosa Cristata are majorly being cultivated in the gardens for several years now. The Boboli Gardens is a botanical paradise and you can stroll through the lawns and indulge in the beauty of the extensive flora of the garden.
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Tourism Board Alliances
The Boboli Gardens Reviews
