Free Concerts & More at Giardino Artecultura
A place for people to take a break from the cobbled streets and the busy crowds, Giardino dell’Orticoltura (via Vittorio Emmanuele II 4) offers Florentines and travelers an escape. Giardino dell’Orticoltura (Horticultural Garden) is open year-round, but from May through September, it becomes Giardino Artecultura (Articultural Garden) to provide the perfect summer relaxation spot.
A key part of the annual Giardino Artecultura calendar is Tuttapposto a Ferragosto, a series of musical performances dedicated to local bands during the Ferragosto holiday week, that celebrates its 6th edition in 2019. The week of Ferragosto, through August 18, a new artist interprets live music starting at 8 pm, and every performance is free for the public. Genres vary from night to night, with Alien Roy, a jazz/swing/bossa nova fusion trio, and I Rabarbari, an electro-pop group, performing consecutively on August 15 & 16. A rock band is scheduled on August 17, followed by a Bob Marley tribute on August 18. The program of concerts accessible with no entrance fee at the Giardino Artecultura can be found here.
The music is best enjoyed with a cold drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and food from the outdoor cafe, which is open from 10 am to midnight and gives patrons an up-close view of the performers on stage. Some opt to bring food of their own, though, with the grassy areas which serve to invite people to set up a picnic.
To see the list of Florence museums are open on Ferragosto (August 15), including those which are free, see Magenta’s article A Florence Ferragosto 2019.
Throughout August, Giardino Artecultura offers many evening events and creative workshops for both children and adults, making it a perfect place for people of all ages. The events include free yoga classes, activities for children, drawing, painting and etching workshops, and more.
The space that the community enjoys today has many years of history behind it. In 1859, the Botanical Garden (Experimental Garden) was founded after the Accademia dei Georgofili created a Horticultural Society in Tuscany in 1852. This plot of land was used to grow vines, tomatoes, and other flora, but in 1876, it was renovated to create a space for events and exhibitions.
The large greenhouse was built for the first National Exhibition in Florence in 1880, designed by Giacomo Roster, to add to the overall artistry of the botanical gardens. This prominent building catches the eye with its all-glass surfaces and exquisite design. It was originally meant to shelter plants, but it was soon converted to host various happenings and exhibitions, which it continues to do today. (sierra case)
