Pian dei Giullari: a Florence immersed in nature to discover

Walking around Florence has never been so wonderful

Yeah, you got that right. It's called Pian dei Giullari precisely because here, at Villa Il Teatro, jesters and theatricals used to be hosted. And the narrow area between high walls that open up into wide openings and small squares is ideal for taking four steps out of doors.

Glimpses of a walk

Especially in spring when the countryside smells of flowers. The easiest way is from Viale Galileo, perhaps from Forte Belvedere, but also from Porta San Miniato and the Piazzale. Or if you want from behind the IOT and via Santa Maria a Montici.

The hills of Florence

It is in fact practically a ring, surrounded by greenery and full of history. It was from here that Charles V's Imperial troops besieged Florence, firing on the fortified San Miniato and its bell tower protected by Michelangelo's mattresses.

The route towards Pian dei Giullari

The imperial headquarters was in fact in the imposing Torre del Gallo. And here, along the road that leads to Impruneta, people such as Galileo Galilei lived in its confinement at Villa il Gioiello (at number 42) and the artist Giusto Sustermans in the nearby Villa Giovannelli, once Vecchietti (Piazza Unganelli), who portrayed him old and disappointed. And again Francesco Guicciardini (today it is Villa Ravà at number 69).

A detail of Villa Le Corti

And more recently Giovanni Spadolini in the Villa Volsanminiato (at number 18) where today the Foundation of the same name is located, whose library is housed in the unmistakable Villa Nunes Vais (at number 28) named after the photographer who painted the facade with white, blue and red lozenges. Along the street there is also a delightful little church: Santa Maria a Montici where a Majesty of the Master of Santa Cecilia is kept and from where in 1313 Arrigo VII tried to conquer Florence.

Or the red

Arcetri Observatory

with some decorations of the Empoli. And then, if you want to go further, it is worth reaching San Michele a Monteripaldi, with its breathtaking view over the city, an ancient little church where the father of all bon ton was rector: Giovanni dalla Casa. Not to forget the Arcetri Observatory, which has been observing the stars and the sun since the 1800s.