Villa il Ventaglio Park Reopens

The luscious greenery of the Villa il Ventaglio park in the hills of Florence above Piazza delle Cure has recently reopened to the public, after being off-limits for four years. The closure was a decision made by the Superintendence for Architectural and Landscape Heritage of Florence due to a lack of funds to continue mandatory maintenance of its charming 12 acres of land.

Florence’s CR Foundation intervened and financed this restoration project through the Art Bonus funding program managed by the Tuscan Museum System. Encompassing the hill accessible by taking newly reopened road via delle Forbici, the restoration brings back to life the original English-style landscaping including abundant roses, endless varieties of botanical species, and shrubbery trimmed into geometric shapes.

Designed by Giuseppe Poggi in the mid-nineteenth century, the Villa il Ventaglio park represents the romantic period in Florence, and provides a striking view of its skyline. The director of the Florence CR Foundation, Gabriele Gori, states that this was an important project because it was the nonprofit’s desire to “give back to residents and visitors a green lung within the city.”

This park is not only a beloved haven for families and strollers, but it also represents a part of Florence’s historical and cultural heritage.

Originally a farm in the fifteenth century, the park had an innkeeper’s house which served as a rest stop for the traveling pilgrims. The home first belonged to the Brancacci, but it was then purchased by the Salvetti family who turned it into the “House of Ladies and Workers.” As time passed, the land was owned by many different families, but eventually fell into the hands of the Milanese Count Giuseppe Archinto. He then continued to commission Poggi to renovate the property into a neoclassical styled villa. Between 1983 and 1985, after being acquired by the State, a the historical park was restored.

To see a photo gallery, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.

Villa il Ventaglio is now open with free entry Tuesday – Sunday, but times varying with each season.

June, July, August 8:15 am – 7:30 pm (July and August are additionally closed on Thursdays)

April, May, September and October 8:15 am – 6:30 pm (last Sunday of October until 5:30 pm)

November, December, January, February 8:15 am- 4:30 pm

March 8:15 am – 5:30 pm

(jennifer klammer)