The Giardino dei Semplici, Florence botanical garden, opens again to the public

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For those of you who do not know it the Giardino dei Semplici, or Garden of Simples, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.

It was established by Cosimo I de’ Medici about in the mid-sixteenth century and meant to be a garden for the study of plants, useful to aspiring doctors (the word “semplici” was used for the plants with therapeutic properties), and during the centuries it changed its design more than once, but it has preserved its scientific value.

Unfortunately it has been closed for several months due to renovations after the big hailstorm happened on Semptember 19, 2014, that caused many damages to the buildings and plants. Today, April 1, 2015 it is going to open again.

The garden covers an area of more than 2 hectares and contains tropical and subtropical plants, monumental trees and thematic paths (sensory, olfactory, evolutionary). It’s a priceless place and it’s very pleasant to visit. Florence definitely recovers one of its several treasures.

The garden is not far from the city center and its entrance is located in via Micheli (5 minutes walking from piazza San Marco).

Opening times

October 16-March 31
Sat, Sun, Mon and holidays
9.30-16.30

April 1-October 15
Everydays including holidays
10.00-19.00

Closing times

Wednesdays and January 1, Easter, May 1, August 15, December 25

Tickets

Single ticket: € 3,00