The Boboli Gardens in Florence is a park behind the Pitti Palace which was once the seat of the Medici family. Some of the first formal Italian gardens, Boboli is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, planting and grottoes. The largest of these grottoes is by the artist, Buontalenti. Built between 1583 and 1593 for Francesco I de' Medici, it was conceived to complete gardens plans that had been devised by Vasari. Composed of three rooms organised in succession, the grotto is a masterpiece of Florentine Mannerist style. Bizarre, extravagant and somewhat surreal, it is one of the highlights of the garden and a highly memorable place quite unlike anywhere else in the world.
If you have an interest in art, garden design or magical worlds you must find a holiday rental in Florence and visit the grotto for yourself.
The façade of the grotto was executed by Giovanni Battista del Tadda with statuary by Baccio Bandinelli. It is made up of stalagmites and stalactites and is flanked by two niches with statues of Ceres and Apollo by Bandinelli.
On the upper band of the façade, the Medici coat of arms is centred with the figures of Peace and Justice and plaques with zodiacal signs surrounding.
The façade of the grotto was executed by Giovanni Battista del Tadda with statuary by Baccio Bandinelli. It is made up of stalagmites and stalactites and is flanked by two niches with statues of Ceres and Apollo by Bandinelli.
On the upper band of the façade, the Medici coat of arms is centred with the figures of Peace and Justice and plaques with zodiacal signs surrounding.
Inside, one enters into the first of the three chambers. This chamber is dedicated to the theme of nature and metamorphosis. Stucco-work by Pietro Mati mimics rocks, hollows and stalactites, evoking a natural phenomenon. Closer inspection shows, however, that they are in the form of sheep, goats, and shepherds playing their pipes. These are complimented by frescoes by Bernardino Poccetti of pastoral scenes with fantastic animals. The space was also home to Michelangelo's “Prisoners” (which represent the transforming power of nature and recall the ancient myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha, described by Ovid) until 1924. Now in the Galleria D'Accademia, copies have been placed to replace them.
A skylight on the ceiling was used in the past to create optical illusions on the walls, reflecting the shadows of the water and fish of a pond that once existed in the grotto.
The second room, is square and decorated with scenes from the Trojan War and images of Minerva and Giunone. Sculptures of Paris and Helen by Vincenzo Rossi da Fiesola in an embrace sit at the centre of the room. The third room is an oval and decorated with wall fountains, frescoes by Poccetti and the “Bathing Venus” by Giambologna.
Truly magical and otherworldly, it should be on the itinerary of any art-lover or dreamer who happens to find themselves in Florence.
A skylight on the ceiling was used in the past to create optical illusions on the walls, reflecting the shadows of the water and fish of a pond that once existed in the grotto.
The second room, is square and decorated with scenes from the Trojan War and images of Minerva and Giunone. Sculptures of Paris and Helen by Vincenzo Rossi da Fiesola in an embrace sit at the centre of the room. The third room is an oval and decorated with wall fountains, frescoes by Poccetti and the “Bathing Venus” by Giambologna.
Truly magical and otherworldly, it should be on the itinerary of any art-lover or dreamer who happens to find themselves in Florence.
