The beautiful Giardino dei Semplici, the second oldest botanical garden in the world, is a treasure chest of wonders in the heart of Florence with an heritage of more than 9,000 specimens of rare plants, monumental trees and ancient flowers.
Founded by the Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici on 1 December 1545, shortly after that of Padua, the beautiful botanical garden was created on a portion of land adjacent to the Medici’s stables for academic purposes, to concretely support the lessons of the students of the University of Medicine.
Everything you can imagine, Nature has already created.
(Albert Einstein)
In the beginning it was called Horto dei Semplici and mainly medicinal plants were cultivated there, called “semplici” (meaning: ordinary), used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, or cultivated to supply the city’s spice shops, where perfumed waters, elixirs and balms were prepared.
The layout of the garden was entrusted to Niccolò Tribolo, the Medici court architect, while the choice of plants was handled by Luca Ghini, the Grand Duke’s personal doctor as well as a pharmacologist and botanical expert.
After more than 300 years, in 1846, the garden was opened to the public and for the occasion the beautiful greenhouses that we can still admire today and which constitute the lateral bodies of the main building were built.
Here you will find majestic tropical plants rarely seen in their true size except in their countries of origin. Banana trees, Monsteras, ficus and coffee plants give life to a real forest where you can walk with your nose in the air dreaming of some exotic holiday.
Hot and cold greenhouses are also home to several varieties of ferns, begonias, orchids and even some harmless carnivorous plants.
In the garden, which covers an area of 2.3 hectares and is home to trees of ancient origin such as a yew planted in 1720 and a cork tree from 1805, there are also several flowerbeds which recall the geometric scheme of the secret garden of Renaissance villas.
The rose garden is beautiful, where it is possible to admire wonderful varieties of precious ancient roses, such as the Rose du Roi from 1815 or the Rose of Madame Caroline Testou from 1890. In the center of the garden there is a stone fountain surrounded by benches which houses water lilies and little fish reds, truly perfect for a regenerating stop.
The garden offers specifically designed thematic itineraries and an app that allows you to discover and appreciate the wonders kept in this special place which, like a treasure chest from times gone by, protects the precious gifts of Mother Nature.
The Secret
In a niche in the wall in front of one of the entrances there is a marble bust dating back to the 16th century which depicts Aesculapius, a demigod belonging to Greek and Roman mythology venerated as the god of medicine.
Useful Info
Giardino dei Semplici
Via Pier Antonio Micheli 3
50121 Firenze
Tel. +39 055 2756444
Entrance: 6 euros (full)
For all discounts, reductions and special openings we invite you to consult the botanical garden website.
