Folon and the Rose Garden of Florence
A few steps from Piazzale Michelangelo is a garden that not many people know, but it offers one of the best views of the city and in the spring is filled with many a different colour and scent. It is called the Rose Garden of Florence.
The Rose garden of Florence
The Rose Garden was created on a land belonging to the Phillippine Fathers friars in 1865 by Giuseppe Poggi (who took charge of redesigning Florence when he became the architect of the Piazzale Michelangelo). Florence at the time was just declared the new capital of the Kingdom of Italy. From its inception the garden was filled with varieties of roses from all over the world. Over the years many other varieties of roses have been acquired through donations which continue to enrich the garden’s collection. Today the garden is home to over 1000 varieties of rose, including 350 ancient varieties.
Jean Michel Folon in Florence
Since 2011 the Rose Garden added even more artistic character as sculptures by Jean-Michel Folon were added. He himself was an artist who ardently loved Florence. Folon had visited Florence for the first time in the 50s, as a traveler, and in 2005 he exhibited his works in a solo show at Forte di Belvedere. When he died his widow donated his sculptures to the city of Florence. There are ten major Folon sculptures to be found at the garden. The most famous being the partir, the suitcase that frames the view on Florence and makes you dream of traveling.
Other famous sculptures in Florence by Folon include the Rainmaker located at the centre of the face Obihall roundabout, and The Man of Peace, which faces the Meyer pediatric hospital.
Infos for visiting the rose garden
The Rose Garden of Florence is nestled on some terraces offering one of the most beautiful views of the city. Each level of the garden provides a more nuanced view of all that Florence has to offer. The garden is open all year round from 9am till sunset. The best time to visit the rose garden is from April until the end of July, when the roses are in full bloom.
You might also like: the most beautiful gardens in Florence.
Info about a private tour:
The tour of the Rose Garden includes the visit to the close-by medieval church of San Miniato al Monte and piazzale Michelangelo.
- When: from april to august
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting point: San Miniato al Monte Church
- Included: your local tour guide
- Not included: transportation
From the end of april to the end of may I give private tours of the rose garden combined with the close-by iris garden!
if I have intrigued you contact me via email for more information or to book your tour!
