THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN IN ITALY 
of stone benches, and at intervals statues in niches ; the whole is set off by a background of laurel 
hedge, behind which rise the ilex-clad slopes of the upper garden. Here many superb spectacles 
were exhibited for the diversion of the Grand Ducal family, notably one in 1589 on the occasion 
of the marriage of Francis I., when a great naval fight was presented. Old engravings of Della 
Bella illustrate the great shows that took place here, when the whole of the space in front of the 
palace was devoted to a grand stand, and all Florence flocked to see the entertainments. In the 
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centre of the arena are a large porphyry basin, and an Egyptian obelisk brought from Rome when 
the Medici gave up their villa on the Pincio. 
The entrance to the garden is through a gateway on the east side of the palace, and exactly 
opposite is the grotto designed by Buontalenti (illustrated on Plate 34), to receive four large unfinished 
statues by Michael Angelo, which had been intended to form part of his monument to Pope 
Julius II., and which were presented to the Grand Duke Cosimo I. by Leonardo Buonarroti, the 
