Boboli Gardens (Part 1 of 2)

We recently toured the Boboli Gardens, an expansive park across the river, behind the Pitti Palace, the former home of the later Grand Dukes of Tuscany.  The gardens were first constructed in the mid-16th century. 

The park is lush and hilly with statues scattered throughout.  Fortunately, we visited on a day with perfect weather--cool and sunny.  Plus, the leaves were changing to a golden hue. 

The photos we took tell the story best.  

After entering the southern gate of the park, we saw a long vista all the way the highest point in the gardens.  Off the wide main path were many narrow paths.  It would be easy to get lost in the gardens.  A happy result.      

The park has many large open lawns.

Two thinkers hard at work thinking. (Is that steam coming from the ears?) 

Beautiful statues are everywhere in the park. 

A large pool and fountain are in the heart of the gardens.  The potted plants are citrus trees with maturing fruit.

The scary dude at the top of the fountain is standing guard over the citrus. 

At first, we thought the large bird was a sculpture.

Then, the sculpture moved.  That is one big bird. 

Just hanging out. 

Tindaro Screpolato by 20th-century Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj. (Tindaro, in Greek mythology, was a Spartan king.  Scepolato means cracked.)

Tindaro Screpolato in profile.

Next up: The visit continues.