A romantic itinerary through Florence

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, founded in 1018, is one of the most extraordinary exemples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany, and stands on the top of a hill overlooking the city, offering a great panorama. The green and white marble facade itnroduces to the interior, which has a mystical atmosphere: the ancient crypt, the inlaid floors of the Basilica and the imposing mosaic in the apse depicting Christ (both 13th century); the Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal is a Renaissance masterpiece.

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.

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.

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.