‘Open Day’ 2024 at the Gherardesca Garden

Florentines dressed in Renaissance costume will demonstrate the ancient tradition of flag throwing at the Open Day

December 15: OPEN DAY. Gherardesca Garden (entrances: Borgo Pinti 97, piazzale Donatello 12, and via Gino Capponi 54) and Orti Dipinti Garden (Borgo Pinti, 76.) Hours: 10 am – 4 pm. Admission: €1.

The Four Seasons Hotel in Florence will host an ‘Open Day’ 2024 at the Gherardesca Garden  and Orti Dipinti Garden, offering a day of fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages. This event, taking place on December 15, is deeply connected with charity, embodying the spirit of giving back. It will feature food, music, performances, and a lottery. Entry ticket costs €1. 

The Gherardesca Garden will be open from 10 am to 4 pm, providing visitors with the opportunity to admire one of the largest private gardens in Florence, of great historical value, acknowledged as a part of the national heritage back in 1901. It was originally landscaped during the Renaissance and then restored by Pietro Porcinai, one of the most prominent Italian landscape architects of the 20th century. Usually, the Garden is closed to the public and is accessible only to The Four Season Hotel guests. 

However, historical green space won’t be the only attraction on December 15. The main goal of the Open Day is to raise money for charity, with the donation of €1 going to support two local foundations: Trisomia21, an association dedicated to promoting the inclusion of people with Down syndrome, and Contesto Ets, a social cooperative focused on disability and inclusion. 

The day will include many different activities, starting with a historical pageant of the Florentine Republic and a show by the flagmen at 10:30 am, representing important traditions. Then, at 11:30 am, the Compagnia di Babbo Natale will perform Christmas songs. This organization consists of shop owners and entrepreneurs who dress up as Santa Claus to participate in charitable initiatives. Following this, at noon, the children’s choir of Florence and Scandicci will perform, and at 1 pm, and all an enjoy a puppet show, featuring wooden marionettes with no strings, which is a Sicilian tradition. The day will conclude with a charity lottery drawing, as the winners are expected to be announced at 3:15. Through the entire Open Day Radio Toscana will provide music and visitors will be able to purchase treats from local producers and restaurants. (Paulina Juzak)