A journey through the gardens of Tuscany, for a unique day of art and nature. The region is famous for its hilly landscapes and lush vegetation. Over the years, many artists have given form to their ideas by exploiting the greenery, creating Italian-style gardens or authentic art trails immersed in nature. Here are some gardens of Tuscany that are definitely worth a visit.
Boboli Gardens
Located in the heart of Florence, it perfectly represents the city’s rich history. Commissioned by the renowned Medici family, it was designed by architects such as Vasari and Buontalenti, and later embellished and adorned with sculptures over the centuries. In addition to the green hedges and various plants, you can admire structures such as the Fountains of Neptune and Oceanus, the cypress-lined avenue, Buontalenti’s Grotta Grande, and the amphitheater.
A stroll through art history and nature can also be enriched by a visit to the Pitti Palace museums. At the ticket office, you can purchase a double ticket that also grants access to the large palace facing the garden, whose luxurious rooms are decorated with hundreds of world-famous paintings. For more information, please visit the official Uffizi website.
Tarocchi gardens
Moving to southern Tuscany, near Capalbio, we find the eccentric Tarot Garden. Designed by Niki de Saint-Phalle in the 1970s and inspired by Gaudí’s Park Guell in Barcelona, ??it is a true open-air work of art. Bright colors, mosaics, and mirrors characterize the sculptures and structures, harmoniously contrasting with the surrounding nature.
The garden is open during the warmer months, from April to October. Info: ilgiardinodeitarocchi.it/
Daniel Spoerri’s gardens
Also in Maremma, in the village of Seggiano, is the garden of Daniel Spoerri, a multifaceted artist who passed away in 2024. Over one hundred sculptures await you on a journey through the 16-hectare park. Eros, death, beauty, and nature are just some of the themes behind the works, created by 55 different artists. They range from masonry structures to animal-like figures, from everyday furnishings to more abstract works.
The garden is open from Easter to October. Info: www.danielspoerri.org/giardino/.
Villa Garzoni gardens
Moving to the province of Pistoia, you can visit the historic garden of Villa Garzoni. It is located in Collodi, the town made famous by Carlo Lorenzini, author of Pinocchio. The villa is surrounded by paths lined with flowers and plants, including a hedge maze. The 18th-century garden is adorned with sculptures, pools, and fountains with water features. For more information and opening hours, visit the Pinocchio park website.
The Garden of Sounds
For those interested in something unique, in Montieri (in the province of Grosseto) you can visit the sound garden by Bavarian artist Paul Fuchs. Within a large park, you can not only admire the unique wood, bronze, and iron sculptures, but also listen to them. Some of them actually emit a sound when the wind blows through them, thus combining visual and audio art. As it is a private park, access is by reservation only. For information: www.paulfuchs.com/giardino-dei-suoni/.
These are just a few of the gardens in Tuscany, which allow you to discover the magical connection between art and nature. And for those who choose to visit the region during the summer, here are some tips: Visit Tuscany during Summer.
