Horti Leonini, Renaissance garden in San Quirico d'Orcia, Italy.
Horti Leonini is a Renaissance garden in San Quirico d'Orcia organized across two distinct zones: a lower section with geometric boxwood patterns and an upper area covered in holm oak woodland. The two zones together create a unified space that weaves together human design and natural growth.
The garden was founded in 1581 by Diomede Leoni following the Medici family's acquisition of the land and the end of regional conflicts. It was created during a period of renewed stability and prosperity for the area.
The garden is named after its creator Diomede Leoni and displays Latin inscriptions and a two-faced Janus statue marking the transition between sections. These elements show how Renaissance thinkers represented order and passages in the natural world.
The garden is located in the heart of San Quirico d'Orcia and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the upper woodland section features uneven ground and conditions vary depending on the season.
A statue of Cosimo III de Medici from 1688 stands in the garden, a rare monument to a ruler who governed the territory long after it was founded. This memorial reveals the enduring connection between the place and its ruling family.
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