One of those places that feels like an extension of my daily life in Florence is the Boboli Gardens and the magnificent Palazzo Pitti. Together, they form a space where time slows and the true spirit of Florence reveals itself. Let’s explore!
Boboli Gardens & Palazzo Pitti
On my last trip to Florence, I finally made it to the Boboli Gardens – and I can’t believe I waited this long. The place is massive. It was a warm day, and my daughter and I just went to explore the place. We didn’t do any research; we just showed up at the gate, paid our fee, and walked in. As we wandered around, we let the garden unfold before us. Choosing each path as we came to it. Do we go up or down, straight left or right? What’s that over there? Oh, let’s go and check it out. This was how we sauntered through this vast, spectacular space, allowing our experience to unfold before us and trusting we would eventually exit the gardens.
We saw so many varied species of plants, ways to train them, wild gardens, and manicured ones. Little-known paths that looked more like trails and finished walkways. Statues were hidden around the place, with plenty of places to sit in the shade.
You could spend hours (and I mean hours) wandering through its fountains, elegant walkways, manicured hedges, and wilder, less-tamed stretches of green. Every turn feels like you’ve stepped into a new scene: hidden grottos, sweeping lawns, long walkways shaded with trained arches of trees, sculptures tucked into quiet corners.
The gardens sit directly behind Palazzo Pitti, the grand palace built for the Pitti family in the 15th century and later taken over by the powerful Medici. You can enter the gardens through the palace, which is well worth a visit in its own right, but can be crowded if you don’t have a reservation, or you can continue up the Via Romana a couple of blocks to find the entrance to the Gardens themselves. If you go inside the Palazzo, you’ll find lavishly decorated rooms, priceless artworks, and a glimpse into the kind of opulence only the Medici could pull off.
Walking the Boboli is like strolling through a living museum of Renaissance landscape design. It’s not just pretty – it’s historic. The gardens influenced European garden design for centuries, inspiring the layout of many grand estates across the continent.
There are plenty of spots to relax and enjoy, explore and spend leisurely time enjoying a book, a picnic with your lover or family, or to paint, draw, or photograph.
One fascinating piece of history I stumbled across recently: in the 1950s, Florence – not Milan – was the center of Italian fashion. The very first post-war high-fashion shows were staged right here, in the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti. Every April or May, designers showcased their collections in these opulent surroundings. The tradition continued until the 1980s, when Milan became the main stage for Italian fashion. But Florence still holds its place in the style world – today, men’s fashion shows are still hosted at Palazzo Pitti, and it’s also home to The Museum of Costume and Fashion.
It’s a must-see whether you’re there for the art, the gardens, or to soak up some Medici grandeur. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll need at least half a day to take it all in – and maybe a second visit to see what you missed the first time.
-Rico Mandel, CEO, Miz En Place
Who is Rico Mandel?
Rico, the visionary founder and CEO of Miz En Place, embodies a lifelong journey fueled by passions for photography, filmmaking, culinary arts, business acumen, exploration, and entertainment. His mission is to unite people in support of artisanal small businesses worldwide. Rico eagerly welcomes the opportunity to share his compelling story and expertise, inspiring your culinary adventures and dreams.
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Have you had the opportunity to visit Florence, Italy? Where did you go? What did you see? What did you eat? What were your thoughts and favorite moments? Let us know in the comments!
