Boboli Gardens a wonderful royal destination
Gardening has numerous advantages, spanning physical, mental,
and environmental benefits. I must admit, I adore gardening as much
as visiting a wonderful royal garden.
After the visit of Palazzo Pitti in June 2024, I visited the Boboli Gardens,
which are located directly behind the Palazzo Pitti, the main residence of the
de' Medici Family.
The Boboli Gardens are known for its strict and formal Italian style.
As it was a very hot day in Florence, the shadow brought some refreshment
but not a lot.
However the Boboli Gardens really are a wonderful royal destination with again
lots of royal history.
Some royal history
The Boboli Gardens were laid out for Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of
Cosimo I de' Medici.The name may be a corruption of "Bogoli"or "Borgoli",
possibly the name of a family who had previously owned the land.
Cosimo I de' Medici.The name may be a corruption of "Bogoli"or "Borgoli",
possibly the name of a family who had previously owned the land.
The first stage had scarcely been begun by Niccolò Tribolo when he died
in 1550, after which the construction was continued by Bartolomeo Ammanati.
in 1550, after which the construction was continued by Bartolomeo Ammanati.
Giorgio Vasari contributed to the planning, and Bernardo Buontalenti
contributed sculptures, as well as the elaborate architecture of the grotto
in the courtyard that separates the palace from its garden.
contributed sculptures, as well as the elaborate architecture of the grotto
in the courtyard that separates the palace from its garden.
Giorgio Vasari, painter and minister of culture at
the de' Medici Court in Florence
Source picture: Wikipedia
the de' Medici Court in Florence
Source picture: Wikipedia
The garden lacks a natural water source. To water its plants, a conduit was
built to feed water from the nearby Arno River into an elaborate irrigation system.
built to feed water from the nearby Arno River into an elaborate irrigation system.
The primary axis, centered on the rear façade of the palace, rises on Boboli Hill
from a deep amphitheater; its shape resembles half of a classical hippodrome
or racecourse.
from a deep amphitheater; its shape resembles half of a classical hippodrome
or racecourse.
At the center of the amphitheater and rather dwarfed by its position is the
Ancient Egyptian Boboli obelisk brought from the Villa Medici at Rome.
Ancient Egyptian Boboli obelisk brought from the Villa Medici at Rome.
The obelisk at the Boboli Gardens
own picture
Giulio Parigi laid out the long secondary axis, the Viottolone or Cyprus Road
at a right angle to the primary axis. This road led up through a
series of terraces and water features, the main one being the Isolotto complex,
with the bosquets on either side, and then allowed for exit from the gardens
almost at Porta Romana, which was one of the main gates of the walled city.
at a right angle to the primary axis. This road led up through a
series of terraces and water features, the main one being the Isolotto complex,
with the bosquets on either side, and then allowed for exit from the gardens
almost at Porta Romana, which was one of the main gates of the walled city.
In 1617, Parigi constructed the Grotto of Vulcan (Grotticina di Vulcano)
along this axis.
The gardens have passed through several stages of enlargement and
restructuring work. They were enlarged in the 17th century to their present
extent of 450,000 meters² (111 acres).
restructuring work. They were enlarged in the 17th century to their present
extent of 450,000 meters² (111 acres).
After the de' Medici family
After the decline of the Medici family in the 18th century, the Boboli Gardens
passed into the hands of the House of Lorraine, the successors to the Medicis
in governing the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Under the Lorraine rulers, the gardens were further expanded and renovated.
The Lorraines introduced new architectural elements, enriched the collection
of sculptures, and added various decorative and functional features such
as fountains and new pathways. Their stewardship reflected Enlightenment
ideals, emphasizing accessibility, naturalistic landscaping, and harmony
with the environment.
When Tuscany was unified with the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the
Boboli Gardens became part of Italy's national heritage.
Today, they are maintained as a public park, open to visitors from around
the world, and are considered a monumental example of Italian garden design.
Inspiration for Artists
The Boboli Gardens served as inspiration for many European Courts.
French painter Jean-Baptiste-Camille-Corot made a beautiful painting of
the gardens (see above).
French painter Jean-Baptiste-Camille-Corot made a beautiful painting of
the gardens (see above).
Literature
Author Dan Brown is fascinated by the Boboli Gardens, and they play
quite an important role in his 2013 novel Inferno, as Robert Langdon and
Sienna Brooks escape through their pathways.
quite an important role in his 2013 novel Inferno, as Robert Langdon and
Sienna Brooks escape through their pathways.
Open for public
The Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy, were first opened to the public in
1766. Before that, they served as the private gardens of the Pitti Palace,
which was the residence of the powerful Medici family. This move reflected
a trend during the Enlightenment era, as private aristocratic spaces began to
be shared with the broader public.
1766. Before that, they served as the private gardens of the Pitti Palace,
which was the residence of the powerful Medici family. This move reflected
a trend during the Enlightenment era, as private aristocratic spaces began to
be shared with the broader public.
Nowadays
The Boboli Gardens are nowadays a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
👉 To know more about the gardens, check their website on this link.
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