Buontalenti’s Grotto in Florence: Visit and Practical Information

Buontalenti’s Grotto is one of the most important works in the Boboli Gardens.

It is located in the northern part of the Garden, near the entrance to the Vasari Corridor.

The work is an artificial grotto whose construction was started by Giorgio Vasari and later completed by Bernardo Buontalenti on behalf of Francesco I de’ Medici.

It represents one of the most important examples of Mannerism as well as an architecturally extraordinary work.

He skilfully blends painting, architecture and sculpture for a completely unique and original result.

It was also mentioned by the writer Dan Brown in his famous novel “Inferno”, set almost entirely in Florence.

Buontalenti’s Grotto in Boboli, structure and characteristics

The grotto has an external appearance that is alluring and captivating at the same time. The entrance is particularly wide, located between two columns with architraves.

Among the peculiarities of this part, the stalagmites that can be observed above the capitals and defined by concretions with a spongy appearance certainly stand out.

The statues made by Baccio Bandinelli and depicting Ceres and Apollo are placed on either side of the entrance.

The upper part is decorated with mosaic frames in different colours. In the centre we can see the coat of arms of the Medici.

The interior is characterised by three rooms:

The first room: this is the largest room inside the grotto. It is characterised by sculptures, paintings and architectural elements designed to immediately amaze the visitor. The same stalactites, rocks, shells and sponges seem to merge to give life to zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures. In the four corners we find copies of Michelangelo’s Prisoners. Bernardino Poccetti’s frescoes rise up to the ceiling. The latter is decorated and has a central oculus from which light filters;
The second room: in the centre of the room stands the marble work “Paris kidnapping Elena” by Vincenzo de’ Rossi. On the sides, on the walls, there are paintings of Juno and Minerva inside two niches. Frescoes, stalactites, shells and stalagmites complete and characterise the entire room;
The third room: the central point of the room is Giambologna’s work, Bathing Venus, a fountain located above a marble basin. Four satyrs climb the latter, while the ceiling is characterised by a false sky where birds fly.

The three rooms are not in axis. A deliberate peculiarity, decided to allow a complete view of the grotto from the outside, so as to be able to admire the entire sculpture of Venus in the third room.

Buontalenti’s Grotto of the Boboli Gardens

The history of the construction of the grotto merges with that of the construction of the aqueduct.

As early as 1551, a project was underway with the aim of bringing water to Palazzo Vecchio, with a direct connection to the source of the Genevra, passing through the Boboli Gardens, which in turn was fed by that water.

To make this conduit even safer, a nursery was designed with the function of guaranteeing the supply of water in any case, even at times of lower flow.

Work began in 1557, first under the direction of Davide Fortini and then under that of Giorgio Vasari.

Subsequently, the nursery lost its primary purpose and so Grand Duke Francis I decided to make it a grotto.

The transformation was entrusted to Bernardo Buontalenti, who worked there from 1583 to 1587. He worked on what Vasari had already done and took care of the entire decoration.

The walls of the three rooms were completed in 1583.

In the same year and the following year, the sculptures of the first room were made by the artist Piero di Tommaso Mati.

In 1585 Michelangelo’s Prisoners were placed there.

The pictorial decorations were made by Bernardino Poccetti between 1586 and 1587.

In this same year, the work of Vincenzo de’ Rossi, a sculpture in the second room, was placed.

Between 1592 and 1593 the works in the third room, including Giambologna’s Venus, were placed.

The façade of the grotto was built in the aftermath of the death of Francis I, when the work was carried out under his brother Ferdinand.

Buontalenti’s Grotto: Practical Information for the Visit

Buontalenti’s Grotto is open every day, from 08:15.

Closing time varies depending on the time of year:

16:30 in January, February, November and December;
17:30 in March and October (with standard time);
18:30 in March (with daylight saving time), April, May, September, October (with daylight saving time);
19:10 in June, July and August.
Closed on the 1st and last Monday of each month and on 25 December.

The visit is free and is included in the Boboli Gardens ticket.

Here are the ticket prices:

Single (Boboli Gardens): € 11;
Cumulative (Boboli Gardens + Pitti Palace): € 23;
Free (disabled people, school groups and teachers, tour guides and tour interpreters, scholars and university professors.

We can access the Boboli Gardens from Palazzo Pitti, from the entrance in Via Romana, from the gates of Forte Belvedere and Porta Romana.

Buontalenti’s Grotto in Florence, where it is and how to get there

Buontalenti’s Grotto is inside the Boboli Gardens, in the northern part.

We can reach the location by bus, from the central station of Florence by choosing line D and making a journey of about 15 minutes.

If we move on foot from Santa Maria Novella Station we have to travel a distance of 1.5 km, taking 25-30 minutes. We will have to take Via Panzani, Via de Rondinelli, Via de’ Tornabuoni up to the Ponte di Santa Trinìta, Via dello Sprone, Via de Guicciardini.