Torrigiana Gardens Florence

The Torrigiani gardens are fascinating botanically as well as artistically. The gardens were set-up originally in the mid 16th century and were used for the cultivation of rare plants. In the early 18th century, Pietro Torrigiani extended and transformed some of the French style features of the garden into what had become by then quite fashionable, English style gardens. The designers were able to create a delightful harmony of Neo-gothic architectural layout, in which various groups of sculptures were scattered and grassy areas intermingled with winding paths, lawns and other elements. The main rule was that an over all symmetry had to be achieved in the immediate areas around the villa. Some of the many added features were a fish pond with jets of water, several fountains and a nymphaeum built using a variety of materials and adorned with a spiral patterned mosaic floor created in black and white pebbles.