One of the rare examples in Tuscany of late-Renaissance gardens, they were landscaped at the request of Alessandro Pucci after he bought the property in 1541.
Planned according to 16th-century theories, by which villa and gardens were to be designed as a whole, the gardens of Villa Bellosguardo feature all of the typical elements of that period. They are divided into geometric and symmetrical sections and enhanced with tubs and fountains, evergreen plants, and statues and depictions of exotic animals with a strong allegorical meaning.
The second important period for the gardens began in 1672, when the property was acquired by Marquis Roberto di Giulio Pucci, who had new paths and resting areas created, embellished with fountains, grottoes and statues. He is also credited with widening the park lanes, planting the citrus grove, constructing the Triton fountain and installing the statues at the main entrance.
In the early 19th century the property experienced a period of economic decline, which forced the Marquis to part with it in 1858.
In 1906, Villa Bellosguardo was purchased by Enrico Caruso, who had works carried out to upgrade it until 1918. The two monumental statues of Springtime and Summer were installed in this period on the sides of the lane connecting the semi-circular lawn to the belvedere.
Restored to their original charm, today the gardens and their new botanical pathways are open to visitors.
The Gardens and the Villa have the same opening hours as the Museo Enrico Caruso:
(1 January – 28 February; 1 november – 31 december)
- Saturday 9.00 – 13.00 ; 14.00-17.00
- Sunday 9.00 -13.00 ; 14.00-17.00
(1 March – 31 May; 1 September – 31 October)
- Monday – Tuesday (closed)
- Wednesday (9.00-13.00)
- Thursday (9.00-13.00)
- Friday (*) (9.00-13.00 /15.00-18.00)
- Saturday (*) (9.00-13.00 /15.00-18.00)
- Sunday (*) (9.00-13.00 /15.00-18.00)
(1 June – 31 August)
- Monday – Tuesday (closed)
- Wednesday (9.00-13.00)
- Thursday (9.00-13.00)
- Friday (9.00-13.00 /16.00-19.00)
- Saturday (9.00-13.00 /16.00-19.00)
- Sunday (9.00-13.00 /16.00-19.00)
Closed on the following holidays: 1 January, Easter Day, 1 May, 2 June, 15 August, 1 November, 25 and 26 December
Opened on the following holidays: 6 January, Easter Monday, 25 April, 11 November, 8 December
Mappa