The Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens is a famous park in Florence that is home to a collection of sculptures that date back to the 16th-18th centuries. The gardens are also home to many Roman antiquities. They were first laid out for Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici. The first stage of the gardens was begun by Niccolo Tribolo before his death and then was continued by Bartolomeo Ammanati. Giorgio Vasari and Bernardo Buontalenti also contributed to these beautiful gardens, with Vasari laying out the grottos and Buontalenti sculpting parts of the grotto that separates the palace from its garden.

The main axis, which is centered on the rear facade of the palace, rises on the Boboli Hill from a deep amphitheater that resembles half of the hippodrome or racecourse. The center of the amphitheater is home to the Egyptian obelisk, which was brought from the Villa Medici at Rome. This main axis terminates in a fountain of Neptune (also known as the "Fountain of the Fork") with the sculpture of Neptune by Stoldo Lorenzi. At the top are beautiful views of Florence, painted by Camille Corot. There are also a series of terraces and water creations with bosquets on both sides.

The design of the Boboli Gardens was based off of the royal gardens in Europe, including Versailles. Late editions to the gardens included the Coffeehouse, the Lawn of the Columns, and the Lemonary, all of which were installed by the Lorriane in vogue. It was Pietro Leopoldo who made the decision to open the garden to the public in 1776.

There is a solitary and private area in the grounds of the gardens, called the Giardino el Cavaliere, or Garden of the Knight. This can be found at the top of the hill, with the small palace that now houses the Porcelain Museum.

Pictures and other helpful information at http://florence-tuscany-italy.com/gardens/boboli-gardens-2/