A romantic itinerary through Florence
Don't wait for Valentine's Day, but test our romantic itinerary in and around Florence, where the beauty of the city is the inspiration for love and not just the background for a banal selfie.
Surely admiring the city from above is the best way to appreciate its harmonious beauty. We therefore suggest some beautiful scenic spots, where in the company of your loved one it will be really sweet to look around.
One of the most appreciable 'high' places is the Bardini Garden: here there are two romantic spots, one is the bench with a view, positioned on a bend in the carriage road, from which there is a priceless view of San Miniato al Monte and the hills. The other beloved spot is the wisteria pergola, unfortunately flowering only a few days a year. For a kiss of perfume.
A second heart-stopping viewpoint is the balustrade on the steps leading up to the church of San Miniato al Monte: from here, too, the view is extraordinary and the elegant Romanesque church is behind you.
Below the already panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo is another place popular with visitors, both couples and not: the Rose Garden is open all year round but is at its best when roses and other plants are in bloom. The romantic aspect is also emphasised by the statues of the artist Folon.
Leaving the city centre, we recommend a couple of places: the Orti del Parnaso garden, with entrance both from Via Trento and from the Giardino dell'Orticoltura below: a park with a view of the city centre; and the ever-present Bellosguardo 'terrace', which, as its name suggests, offers views of Florence on the Oltrarno side, surrounded by historic villas and gardens.
Comune di Firenze
The places
Stages
Bardini Garden
The garden is an amalgamation of three different properties that are still clearly discernible: the large central Baroque staircase leading to the Belvedere (from here one of the best panoramas of Florence skyline); the English-style wood and the agricultural section next to the medieval city walls. The properties were reunited only in the 19th century, and following a period of neglect the garden and Villa Manadora were purchased by the antiquarian Stefano Bardini, who restored the complex and embellished the garden with decorative features in the eclectic taste of the late 19th century.
The garden s dominated by the Bardini Villa.
San Miniato al Monte
The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte is located in one of the highest and most scenic spots in the city of Florence. A masterpiece of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, it is a place of extraordinary charm.
The visit
The façade, dating back to the early 13th century, is decorated with white and green marble that forms interesting and elegant geometric patterns. The austere and majestic interior is divided into three naves, marked by columns adorned with classical and Byzantine capitals; particularly striking is the large apse mosaic depicting Christ giving his blessing. Notice, within the inlaid medieval floor, the panel depicting the symbols of the zodiac; dating from the Renaissance, on the other hand, are both the Tempietto del Crocifisso (by Michelozzo) and the Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal (works by Luca della Robbia and the Rossellino brothers). Visit also the Sacristy, with 14th-century frescoes by Spinello Aretino. The tour concludes with the evocative 11th-century Crypt and the raised presbytery, bordered by a finely inlaid ambo and an extraordinary pulpit, both dating from the early 13th century.
Origins
Around the year 250 A.D., Emperor Decius had Miniato beheaded; he was the first Christian martyr of ancient Florentia. An initial shrine was erected, in this area, over his tomb; later, in 1018, Miniato’s relics were transferred to a crypt built specifically for that purpose.
Gregorian Chants
Right inside the Crypt, during the evening Mass on the vigil (the Saturday before each Sunday and solemnity), some members of the Viri Galilaei Choir perform a series of Gregorian chants related to the liturgical rite. Check their website also for information about other concerts.
Rose Garden
The Rose garden is a green terrace right below Piazzale Michelangelo overlooking the historic centre of the city and enjoying a breath-taking view equal in beauty to that from Forte Belvedere. The Garden has been entirely redesigned better to display the works by Folon. Visitors will be able to admire the unique view of Santa Maria del Fiore and Palazzo Vecchio through the big suitcase of Partir; they will rest next to Folon’s man on the timeless bench of Je me souviens; they will stroke the Chat, the large cat sleeping on the grass among rosebushes.
In the garden there is also a ... corner of Japan! The Japanese garden was donated to the Municipality of Florence by the twin city of Kyoto.
Giardino dell'Orticoltura
In 1854 the "Società Toscana d'Orticultura" (Tuscan Society of Horticulture) was constituted. In the second half of the 19th century the garden got larger and Giacomo Roster designed the big tepidarium, inaugurated in 1880. The little loggia "Bondi" by the architect Castellucci was realized in 1911.
The Municipality of Florence bought the garden in 1930 and designated the area as a public garden. In 1990 the "snake" was completed with decorations of different materials following the project of Marco Dezzi Bardeschi.
Inside the garden there is also a playground for children.
Piazza di Bellosguardo
A panoramic viewpoint over the city of Florence, the Bellosguardo hill can be reached on foot via a beautiful walk that climbs the hill of the same name, passing villas and picturesque views.
The destination is the square, a veritable terrace offering an unusual view of Florence.
A favourite spot for artists and intellectuals, Bellosguardo was frequented by Galileo Galilei, Ugo Foscolo, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Florence Nightingale, Henry James and Eugenio Montale.
Gallery
