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The Villa
of Castello was one of the first villas outside Florence
owned by the Medici, dating back to 1477.
It became one of the favourite residences of Cosimo I,
who took special interest in the garden. A year after
the young Duke’s rise to power, in 1538, the garden
was planned according to a complex symbolical design
in which the statues, fountains and grottoes celebrated
Cosimo’s new status.
The villa itself is not open to the public, but visitors
may enjoy the splendid garden with its magnificent range
of citrus and other rare plants, antique and Renaissance
statues. Particularly fascinating is the Grotto, with
animals carved in different types of stone and marble,
which one must imagine with its original fountains and
water jets.
| Address |
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via
di Castello 47, Località Castello, 50141
Firenze. |
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| GETTING THERE |
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How to get there |
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By
plane to Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport, by shuttle
bus VOLA IN BUS to the station of Santa Maria Novella. |
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Autostrada A1, exit Firenze Nord, follow direction for Sesto Fiorentino. |
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To the
station of Santa Maria Novella.
Local trains from Florence in direction of Bologna, station of Castello. |
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From
the station of Santa Maria Novella, buses 2 and 28. |
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View
the map  |
| Opening
hours |
| |
Daily:
8.15 – 17,00 (November –
February)
8.15 – 18,00 (March and October)
8.15 – 19,00 (April, May and September)
8.15 – 20,00 (June – August)
Closed on the 2nd and 3rd Monday of each month,
New Year’s Day, May 1st and Christmas
Day.
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| Tickets |
| |
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| Bookings |
| |
Firenze
Musei, Tel: +39 055294883
Booking charge: € 3 per person. |
| Disabled
persons |
| |
The gardens are not easily accessible
to persons in wheelchairs.
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| Schools |
| |
Free entry.
Booking is compulsory but there is no charge
(Tel: +39 055290112)
A list of the students and teachers on headed
note-paper must be handed in at the entrance.
If a guide is required, arrangements can be
made with Firenze Musei when booking the visit.
Charge: € 3 per student.
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| FACILITIES |
Education Service |
| |
The Education Service is in Florence in the Uffizi building.
Entrance from Via della Ninna, no.5.
This office coordinates special programmes,
workshops and guided tours for Italian schools
and for adults (Tel: +39 055284272).
Education
Office
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| CONTACT |
How to contact the Garden |
| |
Tel:
+39 055454791
Tel: +39 0552388722
Fax: +39 0552388699
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| Staff |
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| Isabella Lapi Ballerini |
Director |
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