The Palazzo Pitti is a vast Renaissance palace found on the south side of the River Arno, at the end of Ponte Vecchio. Parts of it date from 1458 when it was the city residence of Luca Pitta, a Florentine banker. Before long, as with most things, it was bought by the Medici family, and over the centuries it has steadily accrued an unrivalled collection of luxuries, from paintings to jewels, from silks to swords. For a time in the 18th century, it was used as a base by Napoleon, who always had an eye for the grandest spot in town, and at the start of the 20th century, it was donated to the Italian people by King Victor Emmanuel III. To this day it is the largest museum complex in Florence, housing the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the Costume Gallery, among others. Corridor of Power When the Medici family bought the palace they made a couple of changes to suit their tastes: namely more than doubling its size and adding an exclusive corridor linking it to the Palazzo Vecchio via the Uffizi. Known as the Vasari Corridor, this allowed private passage for the Medici family, sparing them from mingling with the masses on the Ponte Vecchio. It is now open to the public. With Roses Overgrown The Boboli Gardens are both a sprawling green space in the heart of Florence and an open-air museum. With its ancient oaks, trickling fountains and exquisite sculptures, the Boboli gardens served as inspiration for many European Royal gardens, including Versailles. It’s a perfect place to spend an afternoon drifting around.

The Boboli Gardens are found in the heart of Florence, behind the Palazzo Pitti, which was formerly the home of the Medici family and is now one of the city’s foremost museums. When first built the gardens were a lavish present from the Medici family, for the Medici family: no one else was allowed in, and no events were ever held there.  The gardens were carefully designed in the 16th-century style, imbued with classical elements. Wide gravel avenues lead to statues and fountains nestled in ornate stonework, with spaces inspired by grottos, garden temples and amphitheatres. To walk around them is to take a journey through classical mythology. Eyes on the Prize The fountain of Neptune can be found on the hillside above the amphitheatre. Set in a large basin, the central bronze statue of Neptune was created by Stoldo Lorenzi. It depicts a moment from the competition between Athena and Neptune to be the patron of Athens. Neptune struck the ground with his trident, producing a salt spring; Athena, with a touch of her spear, summoned an olive tree from the soil. No prizes for guessing who won. Far From Grotty Stone stalactites mark the entrance to the Large Grotto. Don’t be put off by its rather unattractive name: it is exquisite. Inside, the grotto contains three frescoed sections: the first contains replicas of Michaelangelo’s Prisoners, the second holds Paris and Helen by Vincenzo de Rossi, and the third contains Giambologna’s, Bathing Venus. The latter two were allegedly designed as perfect spots for Duke Francesco I de Medici’s amorous trysts.

Housing some of the grandest artworks of Palazzo Pitti, the Palatine Gallery is not to be missed.

The Grotta del Buontalenti is one of the most famous spots in the Boboli Gardens. It was started by Giorgio Vasari, but the work was finished by Bernardo Buontalenti in 1593.

Originally designed as a garden, the Anfiteatro de Boboli was finished in 1634 and after a performance held in 1739, the Amphitheatre was no longer used for plays.

The Boboli Gardens are known for the beauty of its sculptures and the wonder of its fountains. The Vasca del Nettuno is one of the most beautiful attractions where Neptune is seen holding a trident against fish and mermaids.