A Deep Dive into the Boboli Gardens
- alyssabarnes
- Jun 10, 2023
- 4 min read
By Alyssa Barnes
Fresh air, clear skies and beautiful, green gardens are all that is needed for the perfect day in Florence. The Boboli Gardens are one of the best gardens in not only Florence but all of Italy. Perfect for dates, pictures or even just a picnic, the Boboli Gardens are the hot spot for just about everyone from tourists to locals.
HISTORY
The Boboli Gardens emerged from vegetable gardens that were behind the Santa Felicita in Oltrarno. The vegetable gardens were originally owned by the Borgolo family, but this area was later purchased by Luca Pitti in 1418. Pitti soon commissioned the construction of Palazzo Pitti. Nearly a century later, the wife of Cosimo de Medici, Eleanor of Toledo, bought the property and it then became the property of the Medici family.
The construction of the Boboli Gardens officially began in 1550 under the guidance of Cosimo I de Medici. The design of the gardens was guided by Niccolò Tribolo who was a prominent Italian sculptor and architect at the time.
The construction quickly ended up being taken over by other artists such as Giorgio Vasari, Bartolomeo Ammanati and Bernardo Buontalenti when Tribolo suddenly passed away in 1550.
The gardens were constantly getting new additions such as the Amphitheatre, the Buontalenti Grotto, the Kaffeehaus and the Isolott.
Bernardo Buontalenti, a renowned architect in Florence, made major contributions to the Boboli Gardens during the 16th century. He designed the Amphitheatre, a semi-circular space that was used to throw events such as plays and musicals, and the Buontalenti Grotto, an artificial cave scattered with sculptures that provides a relief from the harsh sun that many visitors enjoy.
The gardens were designed with elements of the Renaissance in mind. The Boboli Gardens include features such as fountains, grottos, terraces and sculptures.
The Fountain of the Fork is a large gathering place for many people. Children can be seen running around the green grass playing, couples on dates or even just people laying on a towel soaking up the sun.
Diana Dunn and her boyfriend decided to have a picnic date near the fountain. “The atmosphere is just so amazing here,” Dunn said. “There is always so much energy and it's nice to look at all of the greenery around as well. It’s the perfect spot for a date.”
MEDICI FAMILY
The Medici family continued to expand and enhance the gardens over the new generations. Each successive ruler of the Medici family added their own touches and additions to the original design. They invested in the development of new features, such as the Isolotto, a small island with a decorative fountain, and the Kaffeehaus, a charming pavilion that offered amazing views of the gardens as well as a spot to relax and take in nature.
The Medici family did much more than just design the gardens though, they also decorated the gardens with sculptures and other pieces of art that they had acquired over the years. The Medici family were avid collectors of art and loved to showcase it in the gardens and display their collections.
Caption: Collection of statues throughout the gardens
The Boboli Gardens were initially designed as a retreat for the Medici family as a way to relax. The gardens were also a symbol of their immense wealth, power and class standing. It also serves as evidence of the Medici family’s influence in the arts and the Renaissance.
THE KAFFEEHAUS
The Kaffeehouse is one of the most beautiful parts of the Boboli Gardens. This building was built because of Grand Duke Peter Leopold of Lorraine. Zanobi Del Rosso started the initial designs of the building that was originally named “new house under the fortress” in 1774.
The building was completed in 1775 and used as a resting place. The purpose of this building was to serve as a stop during walks where people could enjoy drinks and soak in the breeze without the harsh sunlight.
The interior is divided into four main levels. The kitchen and service rooms are located on the ground floor. The “Great Room” is located on the first floor and the interior of this room was decorated by Giuseppe del Moro, Giuliano Traballesi and Pasquale Micheli. The decorations of the interior match flawlessly with the exterior with hues of green to match the natural beauty of the gardens and flowers and water being featured as well to match the water fountain that is located right in front of the building under the steps.
April Lynch, a tourist visiting Florence with friends, admired the beauty of the Kaffeehaus as well as the fountain in front of it with her friends. “It’s so beautiful it’s hard to believe it’s so old,” Lynch said. “The fountain is my favorite part of everything I have seen so far for sure.”
Kaylia Graham, Lynch's friend, added that one of her favorite parts of the Boboli Gardens was seeing the Bardini Gardens. "The views from the terrace are so amazing," Graham said. "You can see all of Florence!"
THE BARDINI GARDENS
The Bardini Gardens, also known as the Giardino Bardini, is definitely the most scenic and beautiful part of the Boboli Gardens. Located just behind the Boboli Gardens it is a must-see for anyone visiting.
Caption: Collection of images that show the Bardini Gardens flora as well as the view from the terrace.
The Bardini Family originally owned the property in the 13th century, but over the centuries the gardens have had multiple different owners.
Stefano Bardini, an art collector, purchased the property in the 19th century. Stefano Bardini’s ultimate goal was to renovate the gardens and turn them into a place of beauty and artistic inspiration.
The gardens started to transform tremendously. Bardini added terraces, paths, staircases and ornamental features, as well as sculptures, fountains, and architectural elements throughout the gardens. His goal was to create a seamless blend of nature and art, with the garden serving as an outdoor museum.
Stefano Bardini, like the Medici family, was also an avid collector of sculptures and art. Artworks that he acquired were strategically placed within the garden to enhance attention to the beauty of the gardens.
The terrace, which features a panoramic view of Florence, is often littered with people trying to get a picture or video of the view. Landmarks such as the Duomo and Palazza Vacchio can be seen from here and is often regarded as one of the most picturesque spots in the city.
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