60 Old Gardens of Italy 



BOBOLI GARDENS, FLORENCE. 



THE garden of the Pitti Palace was commenced in 

 May, 1550, by II Tribolo, assisted by Buontalenti. 

 Open to the public on Sundays and Thursdays 

 after mid-day. 



This large garden is particularly interesting be- 

 cause it retains nearly all its old design. Being a 

 Court garden, space had to be provided for pageants 

 and large gatherings, hence the raison d'etre of the 

 amphitheatre. The most beautiful feature of the 

 grounds is the Isolotto, an oval pool with an island 

 and central fountain reached by two bridges with 

 fine entrance gates surmounted by marble rams, the 

 constellation Capricornus having been that favoured 

 by Cosimo I. A clipped ilex hedge surrounds the 

 pool. Charming little fountains are placed at 

 regular distances on the margin of the water. The 

 treatment of the balustrade of the island in the 

 intervals of which stand lemon pots, should be 

 noticed, as also the beautifully-designed water 

 spaces beneath Gian Bologna's great central foun- 

 tain, permitting the gardeners to quickly fill their 

 cans. by dipping them in. The Isolotto is at the 

 lowest point of the garden, and a glorious viale 

 runs straight down to it from near the fountain of 

 Neptune. Visitors, however, can most quickly 

 reach it by skirting the garden side of the palace 

 till they reach the lemon houses, close to which it 

 is situated. 



Another delightful feature of the grounds is the 



