The Boboli Gardens in Florence, once the private domain of the Medici family, sprawl for acres behind the Pitti Palace. They’re a splendid place to wander, away from the noise and crush of the streets of the city. Set aside a few hours to do justice to the garden, wear comfortable shoes and take some water.
For those who want to find out more, here is one of many sites that describe this oasis in the city: boboli-gardens
I was interested in the many varied sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. Here are just two of them, from quite different time frames.
Hello World 
Boboli Gardens is like a walk back in time through the opulent and palatial residence of princesses, grand dukes, and monarchs of Florence. Must visit Garden in Florence.
Thanks for sharing
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There should be an edit button on WP…as with Facebook. I hope we can visit Boboli Gardens though. Fascinating stuff.
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By the powers invested in me by WP, I have edited your little finger stumble! How long will you be in Florence? There’s so darn much to admire, just in a casual stroll through some of the streets.
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Have just finished reading ‘I, Mona Lisa’. Set in Florence and a reasonable tale of how the Mona Lisa came to be painted. Medicis, and sites to be seen. Don’t think we are going to have enough time to visit but a fraction.
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This garden is also a kind of museum that shows the beautiful sculptures inspired of the Greek and roman ancient civilisation.
Love ❤
Michel
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You’re absolutely correct, Michel! I wonder how many man hours were spent in the planning and execution of that garden? ❤
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Yvonne, of course, no trip to Florence is complete without a trip to the Boboli. It’s interesting that the design of the place shows that the Medici family wanted everyone to understand that it was a private garden. It would be a shame to have this closed to the public today though. BTW, you may have noticed that things have been quiet at Gallivance lately. Terri blew here knee out and had to have a total knee replacement surgery recently, so as you can imagine, her recovery and care have kept us both pretty busy. She’s progressing well, but it’s slow going. We haven’t forgotten about our friends and look forward to things getting back to normal. In the meantime, thanks for continuing to follow along. ~James
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A full knee replacement is no joke! Once Terri gets all that rehab under her belt, she won’t look back, I’ll bet. Give her some flowers, chocolate and a hug from me, please.
Imagine having a private garden that size. Those Medici weren’t your average neighbours, eh?
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I always had ambitions to work on this scale. These are fantastic, but even if a sculpture is bad it will impress if the scale is large enough… (umm, exception has to be made for the less than impressive UK Olympic park sculpture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArcelorMittal_Orbit, I guess even Homer nods).
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Crikey, I see what you mean about that UK sculpture. You just couldn’t avoid seeing it, if you were anywhere in the neighbourhood.
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I had a quick look too. I was very sad to see that the UK Olympic Park’s roller coaster melted. I guess it will live on as a grim warning to any other city foolishly contemplating hosting the Games. 🙂
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I wonder how Rio will fare this year?
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I’m a little worried about them in Rio, what with their health scares and all. Whatever happens, I hope the don’t build a London-style Olympic monstrosity to commemorate their games. 🙂
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Not quite the same as an English Cottage Garden is it? Really quite spectacular.
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It’s certainly a reflection of the Italian temperament, John. It must cost a pretty penny to maintain these days.
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And the modern one tries to look the older
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Yes, strange, these artists!
You and the Head Gardener would go crazy in this place! Then, I could treat you to an Italian meal and some good wine. 🙂
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That sounds good 🙂
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That first statue is amazing. You would need a grand space in which to display it.
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That’s for sure, et. I wonder what the Medici family would have thought of it?
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ti ringrazio moltissimo del tuo passaggio firmato con i like dal mio blog, sono felice di aver trovato da te qualcosa di molto vicino alla mia cultura e alla mia anima, infatti sono Toscana!
🙂
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Thank you for your nice comment. Mi piace l’Italia, e tornerò l’anno prossimo. La Toscana è sulla mia lista per un’altra visita. Mi piace il tuo blog!
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grazie, sei gentilissima, sarai sempre la benvenuta 🙂
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I loved the Boboli Gardens and, if I ever get back to Florence, would put it at the top of my list! Also found wonderful and not to pricey Majolica pottery across the street.
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Florence offers so many interesting things to do. But, the pavement there makes my feet cringe, for some reason.
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I spent a couple of afternoons wandering about in the Boboli Gardens – the only memory I retain now is probably the initial overwhelm at the grandeur and size of everything – even outside. I’d spent a week in the Uffizi and was obviously suffering excess of great art because I realised I had just walked past another great work from yet another Great Master, scarcely able to give it the time of day – and it was Michelangelo’s Holy Family! I left and found my way to the Boboli and loitered about there in between getting lost down winding side streets…… Thanks for the memories Yvonne 🙂
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Wow! A week in the Uffizi, but I’d warrant that’s still not enough time to appreciate/absorb all that is on offer. The gardens would have offered a welcome respite from the art overload!
(I’m waiting for the NZ movie Hunt for the Wilderpeople, with your Sam Neill. It looks good!)
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On an April day in 2004 I sat on a bench under a tree in those gardens and finished reading “A Thousand Days in Venice” vowing that I had to go there. No time that trip but I finally made it in 2008.
After I finished the book and wandered and was high on one of their hills at noon….totally alone in that area when the church bells began to chime…first one, then the next and the next so all the parishioners heard their own bells. Simply sublime.
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It’s an excellent place either for an exploration, or to do as you did, sit quietly and read, or think …
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Fantastic!
(Lots of lawn there to put in a veggie garden!)
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For sure, lots of leeks could be planted. And, the hedges, and the hedge cutters …
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They need to rip out a few hedges. The money that could be saved! – unless you wanted to stand there and advise the hedge cutters!!
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Oh, if I ever get overseas again, those gardens are on my list. Gorgeous. I really like the cracked up sculpture!
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I had avoided it for ages, but stopped being stubborn, thank goodness.
I hope you get back there one day.
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Impressive pics!!! Lovely…😍
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You could fill a memory card just in that one garden, moonmaenad!
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I know I could 😸🙀👍🏽perhaps 2-3 memory cards!!! I have an almost a full card of just 2 doves sitting in our backyard!!!
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They r pretty amazing doves tho…
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Thank u Yvonne, ditto to u😉They were snuggling (snuggling doves..ha!) and preening each other…too cute to refute!!😍
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They must be very special doves! 🙂
PS You take very good photos.
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Thank u Yvonne..ditto to u😉the doves were snuggling and preening each other..adorable😍👍🏽
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Checked out the link – the gardens are beautiful!
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They’re just wonderful. I can hardly wait to get back there!
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