Florence’s Camellia Festival at Palazzo Gondi

One doesn’t have to go into the hills of the Tuscan countryside to witness camellia blooming season. This coming Sunday, March 26, between 10:30 am and 1 pm and 3:30 pm to 6 pm, Vittoria Gondi, president of Florence’s Garden Club, will open her palace’s Renaissance courtyard for the public to be able to wander in and become surrounded by dozens of camellia flowers of many different colors and varieties.  Admission is free.

The Gondi Palace in piazza San Firenze has its fair share of history: it was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman theater and housed the study of Leonardo da Vinci’s father. The camellia exhibition in Florence is an annual springtime tradition that is 33 years old. The Ancient Camellia Festival that is held in the hills above Lucca for several weekends in March served as the inspiration for the Florence Garden Club.

Although the camellia was introduced from Japan many years ago, it now grows wild in abundance throughout Tuscany. The camellias that will come together to fill this small nook with a little piece of nature in the center of Florence, characterized by the stone architecture, are sourced from Florence Garden Club members including the Princess Corsini as well as the Bardini and Boboli gardens. In addition to this vibrant flower display, a few art pieces depicting camellias will also be exhibited around the courtyard. Wine will be available for sale from the Gondi cellar. Admission is free and all are welcome to drop by this special event held on Via dei Gondi, 2.