Boboli Gardens, Historical park museum behind Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy
Description
The Boboli Gardens are a historical park museum behind Palazzo Pitti in Florence, spreading across several terraces above the city. The site features broad gravel paths, geometric lawns, cypress avenues, statues in pale stone, multiple water basins, and grottoes with shell decorations among dense tree clusters.
History
Eleonora di Toledo purchased the property in 1549 and commissioned Niccolò Tribolo to transform the steep slopes behind the palace into a formal garden in the Tuscan style. Later architects like Bernardo Buontalenti and Giulio Parigi added further sections and water features as the dukes continued construction over time.
Culture
The name comes from the Boboli family who farmed the land before the Medici acquired it, and visitors today find open lawns and shaded groves with stone benches between the avenues. Many people rest here on the seats along the main paths or watch the gardeners tend the boxwood hedges.
Practical
The paths climb steeply in places, so comfortable shoes are necessary for a visit, especially when reaching the upper levels. On warm days the wooded areas offer shade and coolness, while the open terraces receive direct sunlight.
Did you know?
The Grotta del Buontalenti near the entrance displays artificial stalactites and weathered stone shapes inside that aim to resemble natural cave formations. In the rear chambers stand copies of Michelangelo's Slave figures between the damp walls of tufa and shells.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Florence).
Florence displays Renaissance architecture and art at every street corner. The city features 15th-century buildings, churches with marble facades, and museums filled with old master paintings. The Arno River divides the city while Ponte Vecchio spans across. From the hills, views extend over the red...
Palazzo Pitti
14 m
Belvedere
391 m
Galleria Palatina
66 m
Galleria d'arte moderna
54 m
Kaffeehaus in the Boboli Gardens
238 m
Boboli obelisk
151 mMonumental apartments
50 m
Museo delle Porcellane
424 m
Porta San Giorgio, Florence
479 m
Grotta di Mosè
71 m
Tesoro dei Granduchi
0 m
Anfiteatro di Boboli
164 m
Grotticina della Madama
252 m
Gallery of Costume
119 mQuartiere del Principe di Napoli
30 mQuartiere d'Inverno
30 m
Fonte del Leone
51 m
Museum of Costume and Fashion
62 m
Palazzo Pitti
27 m
Gallery of Modern Art
13 mStatua dell'Abbondanza
398 mFontana di Ganimede
163 mVasca in granito grigio
151 mVascone
167 mWork of art, installation artwork
80 mScenic viewpoint
433 mScenic viewpoint
214 mScenic viewpoint
137 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes