What a hike! But a worthwhile one at that. The Boboli Gardens are the main attraction of the Pitti Palace, just south of the River Arno, with spectacular views of both the northern city and southern countryside. The courtyard leading up to the entrance of the gardens seems so open and bare, nature is the last thing on my mind. After walking up a steep slope, a contemporary fountain is the first symbol of a renaissance inspired oasis. The statues date back to the 16th century in serene grattos, tucked away between the paths of trees, leading each and every way; around and about, uphill and down. This sets the scene of an ultimate urban escape.
Many Florentines seem to use the area to relax and escape the cobblestone roads for greenery. An older English couple and frequent visitors of Italy caught up and then kept their pace up with mine and I was impressed. It was a mission for all. When I asked the wife, Lynn, how she liked the views she said they were "lovely, really nice, quite spectacular actually, very picturesque." She was only turned off by the heat and the fact that there were no flowers.
When visiting the Piazza Pitti I definitely recommend bringing a sufficient amount of water and planning ample time. Also, a picnic, blanket and maybe a book to soak it all in. Look through the endless rooms of collections within the square at a steady pace, avoiding the crowds, but please explore the passages of the back yard in a relaxing and intimate fashion.
No comments:
Post a Comment