Villa Bardini — Attraction in Florence

**THIS IS A SCAM: Giving this a 5 star rating so that you will read this and save yourselves a very big disappointment:

Caravaggio created 178 pieces of 16th and early 17th centuries works of intense and unsettling realism categorized as large-scale religious works with famous pieces such as The Taking of Christ (1602) and The Calling of Saint Matthew. Other well known works are Sick Bacchus, The Musicians, Head of the Medusa, The Conversion of St. Paul, The Entombment of Christ, and The Beheading of St. John. The Villa Bardini is a Caravaggio bait and switch. They have no more than 1 painting (Boy Bitten by a Lizard) on display at their title, “Caravaggio and the 20th Century” exhibition. Rather, more accurately, this is an exhibition for Robert Longhi and Anna Banti and their lives in the 20th century. Other than Longhi putting a film together with Caravaggio as a theme there is no other reason to believe this exhibition has anything to do with Caravaggio. My recommendation is not to see the exhibit if you want to see works by Caravaggio. See the exhibit if you care something about Robert Longhi and Anna Banti. Or, skip the exhibit entirely and enjoy the spectacular views from a perspective the garden provides at approximately 343 ft above Florence, overlooking the city skyline (minus the 7-10 construction cranes obstructing the gorgeous view and ruining your photos.) I am completely disappointed that there was only 1 Caravaggio piece and I insisted on a refund, arguing that the museum cannot mislead the public, that this is not a Caravaggio exhibit when they have only 1 of 178 pieces on display. They must be honest with themselves and admit that they have an exhibit about Longhi and Banti. They are deceiving the public and using Caravaggio to draw attention to Villa Bardini and make money off of deceptive advertisements. The response from the clerk behind the counter taking customer’s ticket money, regarding my refund was, “A refund? Well, that is not possible!,” shrugging his shoulders and lifting his arms in a gesture as if to say I don’t know. “Why is this not possible?” I inquired. He performed another “I don’t know” gesture again. I left in disbelief that I was scammed by deceptive advertisement from the Villa Bardini event staff. Don’t get scammed! This exhibit has nothing to do with Caravaggio and his work. What a foolish attempt by Villa Bardini staff....

The splendid location over the city Florence gave the Villa it’s original name, “Villa Belvedere”. Villa Bardini today brings to mind the “Casini di Delizia” developed as relaxation homes around Florence between the end of the 16th and first half of the 17th centuries. These homes were traditionally surrounded by expansive tracts of land serving agricultural and ornamental purposes.

Thus cited a Florentine guide at the end of the 1800’s, and remaining true to this day. The Bardini Garden offers a remarkable panorama over Florence that occupies a large part of a hill bordered by the medieval walls of the city.

Tracing its history back to medieval times, the Bardini Garden belonged to a series of wealthy families. Originally constructed for agricultural purposes, it was transformed over the course of the centuries into a splendid Italianate garden. In the beginning of the 1900’s it was used by Stefano Bardini (known as the “prince of the antiquarians”) as an impressive setting to entertain his well-to-do clientele.

The Bardini Garden, thanks to the Fondazione Parchi Monumentali Bardini Peyron and the Fondazione CR Firenze, today represents a best practice in restoration effort when in 2006, this green center was brought back to its former glory.

Wisteria, one of the most fascinating plants found in nature, is one of the favorite spots for visitors to the Bardini Garden. The famed pergola transports viewers into a passage that provide magnificent and romantic views of the city and its surroundings.

Like the Garden and the Villa Bardini, this flower carries with it an ancient story and a far-away provenance: it is told that wisteria was brought as a rarity from China by Marco Polo, with official records marking its arrival to Italy in the early 1700s.

The most remarkable feature of this plant is its capacity to grow in a rapid, intense and constant rate with electric colors in its first spring flowering. From lilac to violet, from a blue mauve to tinged-with-pink, the spectacle of the flowering of the wisteria can be admired at the Bardini Garden in spring, between the months of...

Nestled on the south bank of the Arno River, Villa Bardini Gardens is a hidden gem that offers one of the most spectacular experiences in Florence. During my recent visit, I was completely enchanted by this magnificent estate that combines Italian garden design, breathtaking panoramic views, and tranquil ambiance away from the tourist crowds.

The gardens cascade down a hillside offering multiple levels of exploration. The wisteria-covered pergola walkway is absolutely magical - a tunnel of hanging purple blooms creating a scene straight from a fairytale. The well-maintained gravel paths wind through meticulously landscaped terraces featuring vibrant azaleas, classic Italian statuary, and elegant architectural elements.

What truly sets Villa Bardini apart is its unrivaled vantage point overlooking Florence. The panoramic terrace provides a postcard-perfect view of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the entire historic center, all framed by the rolling Tuscan hills in the background. This view alone is worth the visit, especially during golden hour when the city is bathed in warm light.

The on-site café offers a delightful place to relax with refreshments while soaking in the surroundings. I particularly appreciated how uncrowded it felt compared to other Florentine attractions, creating an authentic and peaceful atmosphere.

For anyone visiting Florence who wants to experience the perfect combination of natural beauty, artistic landscaping, and breathtaking views, Villa Bardini Gardens is an absolute must-visit destination. It's a place that captures the essence of Tuscany's romantic spirit and will remain etched in your memory long after your...