Private ‘Courtyards & Gardens’ Opening 2025

Sun. 25: CORTILI E GIARDINI APERTI (Open Courtyards and Gardens). Locations accessible from 10 am – 1 pm, 3 – 7 pm.  Free admission. 

To experience and learn more about Florence’s centuries-old, private properties, plan to attend some of the special openings on Sunday, May 25. Unless otherwise indicated, most venues require a reservation.

In a once-a-year opportunity, the hidden beauty that draws attention and tourists to Florence will be highlighted, with access to historic homes, monumental parks, courtyards  and wine cellars during “Open Courtyards and Gardens.”

Eighteen venues will be open in downtown Florence alone (see below), thanks to the efforts of the A.D.S.I. (Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane).

Here is a description of four of them.

PALAZZO ANTINORI DI BRINDISI ALDOBRANDINI

Across the Arno River, the area known as the Oltrarno, sits a palace filled with history and intrigue. Built and expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries, today a sober 19th century façade designed by Giuseppe Poggi disguises the elegant interior. Poggi also designed the gardens using illusionary techniques to make the space seem larger. A high 19th century wall is said to have been built when the palace was rented to an Ottoman diplomat to hide the women of his harem from neighbors. Originally owned by the Antinori family, it was inherited by the Aldobrandini whose descendants still live in the historic residence (Via dei Serragli, 9. Visiting hours 10 am -1 pm and 2:30 – 5 pm with a reservation. Concert by Fiesole Music School musicians at 4 pm).

TORRIGIANI GARDENS

Nearby in the Oltrarno one finds the “secret gardens” set in the middle of the city. Seventeen acres of rare plants and statuary fill the 19th century English style gardens, the largest privately owned gardens in Europe.  A large statue of Osiris guards over the entrance to the gardens. This agricultural deity and god of the dead and resurrection, holds tablets on which are engraved the rules to be followed while visiting. Further into the vast park, visitors encounter formal gardens and grass lawns, which in bygone days were used to graze animals. There is a gymnasium, amphitheater and a 22 meter (72 ft.) high tower previously containing an astronomical observatory, a library and a cache of weapons. Known over the world for its botanical importance, the gardens contain camellias, rhododendrons, citrus fruits and numerous rare plants and trees, all carefully tended by the current owners. An oasis of green on a hot day the gardens promise a refreshing and peaceful time to enjoy sequoias, ginkgo biloba and amazing works of art. Guided tours will be available (Via dei Serragli, 144. Visiting hours 10 am – 1 pm and 3 – 6 pm; reservation necessary).

VILLA MEDICEA LORENSE DEL POGGIO IMPERIALE 

The premises of a prestigious boarding school since 1823, the architecture of Poggio Imperiale is a blend of Renaissance and neo-classical styles, with a Baroque interior. There is also an Italian-style formal garden, “Il Giardino Grande” (piazzale di Poggio Imperiale 1, accessible via public transportation by taking bus #11.  Visiting hours 10 am – 1 pm, 3 – 5 pm.  Reservation required. Concert by Fiesole Music School musicians at 5 pm).

PALAZZO DEI PITTORI (CASA SWERTSCHKOFF) 

Constructed in the late 19th century when Florence served as the capital, the iconic Casa Swertschkoff was designed as communal space for artists to work and live. Vladimir Sverchkov, a glassworker of Russian descent born in Finland who moved to Florence in 1870, conceived the building, lived in it next to his glass studio and lab and rented out studios to artists creating a hub for creativity. The building soon became nicknamed “Palazzo dei Pittori” (Palace of Painters) and hosted artists of the Macchiaiolo period, sculptors and the famous Swiss symbolist painter Arnold Bocklin. During the 20s and 30s, the palazzo hosted the Florentine School of Painting. In the 1980s, at risk of being converted into luxury apartments, the Group of Artists Viale Milton organized exhibitions and guided tours to raise public awareness of the historic significance of the edifice. On the special occasion of May 25, visitors can view the public areas as well as some of the studios where artists currently work (Viale Giovanni Milton, 47-49 (Visiting hours 10 am – 1 pm and 2:30 – 5:30 pm).

COMPLETE LIST OF OPEN COURTYARDS & GARDENS IN FLORENCE  

Villa Medicea Lorenese del Poggio Imperiale | piazzale del Poggio Imperiale 1

Torrigiani Garden | Via dei Serragli 144

San Francesco di Paola Garden | piazza di San Francesco di Paola 3

Palazzo Antinori di Brindisi Aldobrandini | via dei Serragli 9

Palazzo Frescobaldi | via Santo Spirito 11

Palazzo Gondi | via dei Gondi 2 e piazza San Firenze 1

Palazzo Rosselli del Turco and Garden | Borgo Santi Apostoli 40r

Palazzo Pucci | via de’ Pucci 4

Palazzo Ridolfi | via Maggio 13 

Palazzo dei Pittori | viale Giovanni Milton 49

Palazzo Malenchini Garden| via dei Benci 1

Palazzo Corsini | Lungarno Corsini 10

Palazzo Niccolini | via dei Servi 15

Fondazione Mello – Studio d’arte le Colonne | Borgo Pinti 24, Firenze Palazzo Ximenes Panciatichi | Borgo Pinti 68

Palazzo Capponi alle Rovinate | via de’ Bardi 36,

Palazzo Ginori | via di Novoli 24

Palazzo Antinori | piazza Antinori 3

Cimitero Evangelico (Protestant Cemetery) agli Allori | via Senese 184