Florence is a city famous for its museums, galleries, churches, and palaces that are beyond gorgeous and stuffed full of incredible works of art but it is not merely the interiors of this incredible place that are utterly beautiful. The piazzas, the streets, the Arno with all of the bridges crossing over it, and the views over the skyline dotted with its landmarks that can be taken in from various rooftops and panoramic spots are all examples of the great appeal of the outdoor spaces of Florence.
Then, of course, there are also the gardens and parks. Like many of the great cities of Europe, Florence has endless wonderful parks to explore. Many of these parks are not large expanses in which one can walk their dog or play sports or bring children to a playground but, rather, exquisitely manicured gems full of rare blooms, perfectly tamed lawns, arches grown over with fragrant flowers, sculptures by some of the most famous artists in history, amazing fountains, and all sorts of whimsical follies and surprises. These parks or public gardens or gardens attached to museums may now be available to all but they were once the private gardens of the city’s richest and most privileged residents. Thankfully, most can now be enjoyed by everyone! So, whether you want to take in the extraordinary sculptural details of the Boboli Gardens, see the impressive collection of different varieties of roses in the Rose Garden, or the lush and rare plants from all around the world at the garden of the Stibbert Museum then be sure to plan a garden crawl once you have found a luxury villa in Florence.
Another must-see garden for those with an interest who have found a villa with pool in Florence has to be the Giardino Corsini. Created for the Corsini family’s residence that was once surrounded by open fields that were immediately bought up to enlarge the grounds, the Giardino Corsini is now actually located right in the heart of Florence, not far from the Accademia and the Santa Maria Novella neighbourhood and train station. Designed in 1621 by Gherardo Silvani, a landscape architect from Rome, the gardens were to adorn this newly acquired home of Filippo di Lorenzo Corsini.
Often a place that hosts festivals, weddings, and elegant galas today, this beautiful and orderly space is composed of the large lawn of the informal garden, the two lemon houses that were created to house lemon treesz safely even in the depths of winter, the charming old bridge (which once crossed over a pond that has since been drained), the geometric flower beds, box hedges, and countless Baroque statues of the Italian garden, and the gorgeous 16th century loggia by famous Renaissance architect Buontalenti. All of these charming features are connected by the clear and wide central avenue that cuts through the garden and the entirety is framed by high walls in order to perfectly protect this hidden gem in the core of the city. In summer, the space is filled with the scent of citrus and lavender and is a wonderful little escape from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
While not freely open to the public, the garden can be visited by appointment and when different events are taking place on the grounds. For more information about planning a visit, be sure to contact them by filling out the contact form on their website or ringing them at +39 338 6193763. For those who love gardens and want to see all of the loveliest hidden gems that the city has to offer while on vacation in Florence, this is definitely one to try and see, if you can! But, of course, there are lots of other incredible outdoor spaces and perfectly manicured gardens to check out for those who have found a villa in Florence. Be sure to plan a trip if you’ve wanted to holiday in Tuscany and happen to be a garden enthusiast!
