Tuscany is full of incredible public gardens – from formal arrangements surrounding palaces, to leafy parks where one can wander endlessly, to botanic gardens bursting with plants from all over the globe that are waiting to be discovered, and more – but one of the most impressive and lesser-known of the region’s gardens has to be the Fineschi Rose Garden in Cavriglia in the Valdarno. An ancient town surrounded by a scattering of picturesque little hamlets at the foot of the mountains of Chianti, Cavriglia is a land of olive groves and vineyards that makes for an ideal place to come and enjoy local produce and wines while admiring the natural beauty of the area. And, while you’re enjoying all of that natural bounty, you should also make a point to see the cultivated natural splendour of the Fineschi Rose Garden. Browse our villa in the Valdarno and Tuscany Villas and come see this lovely corner of the world for yourself.
The largest private (though open to visitors) rose garden in the world, the Fineschi Rose Garden was established by Professor Gianfranco Fineschi, a surgeon and teacher of medicine at the Catholic University in Rome, and has been collecting rose species and hybrids from all over the globe since 1967. A living museum, it boasts more than 8,000 roses and among them 6,500 species and varieties – from antique roses to modern roses, ramblers and climbers – which are organised into 21 different sections spread across an acre of land, following the classification of roses. Each example and variety is also clearly labelled with little plaques in the ground next to them, telling you the name, age, and who created the particular type in question.
A magical space of colour and heady scents on the air, the garden is, however, not quite a formalised tourist attraction but, rather, more like a farm of roses with a more relaxed atmosphere. Despite this, the collection of blooms itself is truly extraordinary, there are absolutely no weeds in sight and it is meticulously maintained, and the garden is expertly organised with information about the flowers readily found all throughout the space. Organised in beds that are divided by species, subspecies, and hybridisation, the Fineschi Rose Garden is perfectly equipped for research and the study of the world’s rarest and most remarkable roses.
Those who are not as rose-obsessed or as knowledgeable about the intricacies of growing and breeding roses, however, are also well catered to by this remarkable space with a lovely walk to be found through this riot of stunning blooms and beautiful aromas. There are all sorts of little paths and terraces to wander around, as well as various little nooks and crannies with benches to stop, take a seat, and admire your surroundings. For those looking to enjoy a peaceful day out admiring beautiful flowers in a dreamy setting, it is a perfect spot. Plus, with peacocks, chickens, and cats strolling around and olive trees shading the grounds, there are plenty of other charms to discover in this special spot in addition to the abundance of blooms. And, as you are leaving, you can head to the little nursery where you can buy some gorgeous rose plants to bring home a little piece of this magical place with you!
Open from the first Sunday in May until the last Sunday of June, this gem of a garden costs just a few euros to enter and is located around 50km south of Florence, in an area of pretty little towns, rolling hills, and wineries, making it an ideal place to enjoy a relaxing day trip full of literally stopping a smelling the roses, sampling local wines at a nearby vineyard, admiring the landscapes rolling by your window as you drive, and finding some little family-run eatery in which to dine. Just check out our holiday rentals in Florence and plan a trip to this wonderful part of Tuscany during your vacation!