A Touch of Japan in Florence

Yesterday the newly landscaped Japanese garden was officially opened by the mayor, Matteo Renzi.  It is located inside the ‘Giardino delle Rose’ or Rose Garden which is very conveniently located a few steps from our house behind San Niccolo’ and below Piazzale Michelangelo.

Created in 1865 by architect Giuseppe Poggi, it covers around one hectare of land bordered by Viale Poggi, Via di San Salvatore and Via dei Bastioni.  Entrance is free and it is one of the most peaceful places where you can just sit and admire the beautiful city of Florence.  You of course also need to stop and ‘smell the roses’ (couldn’t help myself) if you time your visit for when the roses are all in bloom. There are almost 370 varieties of roses and this morning they just looked absolutely beautiful beaming in the sunshine.

The Japanese garden was firstly built in 1998 and this was created by architect, Yasuo Kitayama, called Shorai.  It was donated to by Kyoto, the twin city of Florence.

In September of 2011, nine large bronze sculptures and two plaster casts by Belgian Sculptor, Folon were donated after his death by his wife “to create a place of quiet beauty in which to capture and keep alive the intense dialogue he initiated with the city”

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves but if you are in Florence  May, June or July, please take the time to visit the Rose Garden.