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Giardino di Boboli Review

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Giardino di Boboli

Address: Enter through Palazzo Pitti, Florence, 50125
Phone: 055/294883
www.polomuseale.firenze.it

Boboli Gardens

Category: Gardens/Arboretums
Location: The Oltrarno

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.4/5

Fodor's Review:

The main entrance to these landscaped gardens is from the right wing of Palazzo Pitti. The gardens began to take shape in 1549, when the Pitti family sold the palazzo to Eleanor of Toledo, wife of the Medici grand duke Cosimo I. The initial landscaping plans were laid out by Niccolò Tribolo (1500-50). After his death, work was continued by Vasari, Ammannati, Giambologna, Bernardo Buontalenti (circa 1536-1608), and Giulio (1571-1635) and Alfonso Parigi (1606-56), among others. Italian landscaping is less formal than French but still full of sweeping drama. A copy of the famous Morgante, Cosimo I's favorite dwarf astride a particularly unhappy tortoise, is near the exit. Sculpted by Valerio Cioli (circa 1529-99), the work seems to illustrate the perils of culinary overindulgence. A visit here can be disappointing because the gardens are somewhat underplanted and under-cared for, but it's still a great walk with some fabulous views.

Cost: EUR 7
Open: Jan., Feb., Nov., and Dec., daily 8:15-4:30; Mar., daily 8:15-5:30; Apr., May, Sept., and Oct., daily 8:15-6:30; June-Aug., daily 8:15-7:30. Closed 1st and last Mon. of month

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by jrogoz from Chicago, Illinois on 8/17/08
For what is now a 10 euro entrance fee the visitor has access to vast grounds that need a lot more TLC than they have received of late. Fairly steep climbs earn you nice views of Florence and the countryside, but not much else except stones in your shoes. A nice collection of porcelain is housed on the grounds and viewing is included in the price of admission, but the once beautiful garden outside hadn't been touched since late spring - a guess based on the condition of the peonies and boxwoods during our August visit. Compared to ten years ago, the site has gone downhill dramatically.