CORTILI E GIARDINI APERTI (Open Courtyards and Gardens in Florence). The public is welcome from 10 am – 1 pm, 2 – 6 pm (unless otherwise stated). Free admission.
In a once-a-year opportunity, the history and beauty that draws tourists to Florence will be celebrated during “Open Courtyards and Gardens” allowing access to 30 historic homes, monumental parks and courtyards on Sunday, May 23. These venues will be available to the general public thanks to the efforts of the A.D.S.I. (Association of Historic Homes). The opportunity to embrace unique artistic heritage and architecture is vital to preservation of these historical sites, while perpetuating the memory of Florence’s considerable private cultural legacy. Due to Covid restrictions, including social distancing, reservations are necessary in order to participate, which can be made at www.associazionedimorestoricheitaliane.it/eventi-dimore/.
SPECIAL GUIDED ITINERARIES
Four guided tours comprising several venues will be also offered on that day by Città Nascosta (€10; reservations required by calling 055 6802590, 055 6801680 or emailing info@cittanascosta.it). Itineraries have been designed to so that the viewer can appreciate Renaissance architecture and discover the hidden green beauty of city gardens. The first tour—with the meeting point at piazza San Francesco di Paola 3 (10 am)—will take the guest to Palazzo Antinori Aldobrandini, Palazzo Frescobaldi, Palazzo Ricasoli Firidolfi and Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni. The second (11:30 am, meeting point: via dei Serragli 9) focuses on artist studios and private gardens at Palazzo Ximenes Panciatichi, Palazzo Leopardi and the Mello Foundation. The following tour (3 pm, Borgo Pinti 68) spotlights buildings such as Palazzo Niccolini, Palazzo Grifoni Budini Gattai and Palazzo Pandolfini owned by Florentine nobility. The final inclusive tour (4:30 pm, via dei Servi 15/E) will allow the visitor the possibility of participating in one or more of the same itineraries of his/her choice at a cost of €10 for each.
SITES OPEN IN FLORENCE & VICINITY
- San Francesco di Paola Garden (piazza San Francesco di Paola 3)
- Villa Galileo (Galileo’s House) , via del Pian de’ Giullari 42
- English Cemetery, Piazzale Donatello 38
- Palazzo Ricasoli Firidolfi (via Maggio 7)
- Torrigiani Garden (via dei Serragli 144)
- Giardino Corsini sul Prato (Via il Prato 58); concert at 12 noon by Fiesole Music School musicians
- Palazzo Frescobaldi (via Santo Spirito 11)
- Palazzo Antinori Aldobrandini (via dei Serragli 9)
- Palazzo Gianfigliazzi Campodonico & Bonaparte (Lungarno Corsini 4)
- Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni (piazza Santa Trinita 1)
- Palazzo and Rosselli del Turco Garden (Borgo Santi Apostoli 19)
- Palazzo Malenchini (via dei Benci 1)
- Palazzo Leopardi – Galleria Studio Marcello Tommasi (via della Pergola 57): visit to the garden where Cellini cast his statue of Perseus in addition to an artist’s studio
- Palazzo and Antellesi Garden (piazza Santa Croce 21)
- Mello Foundation Art Studio (Borgo Pinti 24)
- Palazzo Gondi (via dei Gondi 2 and piazza San Firenze 1)
- Palazzo Niccolini (via dei Servi 15); concert at 3 pm by Fiesole Music School musicians
- Villa Tornabuoni Lemmi (via Taddeo Alderotti 56)
- Palazzo Pucci (via de’ Pucci 4)
- Villa Le Pergole (via del Pergolino 15). Open 3 – 6 pm.
- Palazzo Grifoni Budini Gattai (piazza SS. Annunziata 1); concert at 4 pm by Fiesole Music School musicians
- Palazzo Leopardi – Galleria Etra Studio Marcello Tommasi (via della Pergola 57). Open 2 – 6 pm.
- Palazzo Ximenes Panciatichi (Borgo Pinti 68); concert at 5 pm by the Fiesole Music School musicians
- Allori Cemetery (via Senese 184)
- Palazzo Pandolfini Garden (via San Gallo 74)
- Terrace of the Ancient Tornabuoni Tower (via Tornabuoni 1); concert at 11 am by Fiesole Music School musicians.
- Villa le Pergole Garden (via del Pergolino 15). Open 3 – 6 pm.
- The Primo Conti home (via Giovanni Duprè 18, Fiesole)
- Villa Corsi Salviati (via Antonio Gramsci 456, Sesto Fiorentino). Open 10 am – 2 pm.
For more information see www.adsi.it. (stephanie d’amelio/ additional reporting by rosanna cirigliano)