Although the built world and interior spaces of Tuscany are beautiful and important, it is good to escape the museums, galleries, libraries, palaces, villas and other architectural gems in order to get a bit of fresh air, stretch your legs and take in the beauty of the region's not-so-natural outdoor spaces. While it may not be common knowledge to many, Tuscany's gardens are as famous as her buildings and are worth exploring. They will delight, stun and surprise at every turn. So, we have chosen some of the best and most beautiful examples for you in order to pencil in some time into your itinerary on your next holiday.
If you are planning on heading to Florence, you might need somewhere to go and take a bit of a break from the bustling tourist crowds and her Rose Garden is a spot that makes for the perfect oasis of calm. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall.
If you are planning on heading to Florence, you might need somewhere to go and take a bit of a break from the bustling tourist crowds and her Rose Garden is a spot that makes for the perfect oasis of calm. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall.
Only open to the public year round for a few years now, it is home to a collection of 400 different varieties of roses, 1000 botanical varieties, lemons, and other plants, a Japanese garden and sculptures by the artist Folon dotted playfully here and there. Located in the Oltrarno area below Piazzale Michelangelo, it was created in 1865 by Giuseppe Poggi, who also designed the Piazzale. It was then redesigned under Attilio Pucci and enlarged in 1998 with a space called the Japanese Shorai oasis and a Zen Temple, "Kodai-Ji", donated by the Japanese architect Yasuo Kitayama. Overlooking the city, it is an exceptionally beautiful space and a perfect place to relax. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and discover it for yourself.
The Giardino Bardini, or Bardini Garden, is another garden in Florence which has only been opened to the public in the past few years.
The Giardino Bardini, or Bardini Garden, is another garden in Florence which has only been opened to the public in the past few years.
Less well-known than other Renaissance gardens in the city such as the Boboli Gardens, it is still a bit of a well-kept secret devoid of crazy crowds of tourists. It also has exceptional views over the city. Located across the road from the Bardini Museum in the Oltrarno district of Florence, it is made up of 4 hectares of parkland perched on a hill which faces the Arno from the south, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Croce are all visible in the distance. It is a mixture of styles - an Italian garden with baroque elements on one side, and an English garden on the other - and features Tuscan fruit trees, a tunnel of wisteria, fountains, Bourbon roses and an English-style wood.
With these two gardens in mind, you won't be short of somewhere to escape the madness of Florence on your next trip.
With these two gardens in mind, you won't be short of somewhere to escape the madness of Florence on your next trip.
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: Samuli Lintula / CC BY 2.5
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: Samuli Lintula / CC BY 2.5
