There’s an amazing private garden in the Oltrarno section of Florence that just might win the award in my book for the finest garden of its type in Florence.  I’ve seen quite a few of them, and so far, this is my favorite.

It is the Horti Annalena, as you can see in the picture of the engraved sign over the main door.  Look at the picture carefully and you can also find the street sign, which will help you locate the garden in the Oltrarno.

 

Today we enter the garden through this opening, which is graced with marble statues on either side.

The fine statues represent 2 of the muses one might find in a garden space: a figure personifying music on the left:

 

And, I am sorry to admit, but I don’t know what the 2nd muse specifically represents. She holds what I think is a torch, so perhaps she signifies knowledge or enlightenment.  Gardens will give you either or both.

 

I guess that random guy shown in my picture below must be Superman, or so  his t-shirt says. I hope he acquired the powers granted by these two marble muses. One can only hope!

Once you enter the Horti Annalena, otherwise known as the Corsi Giardino, you are presented with this incredible view.  When you imagine it in your mind’s eye, be sure to include birdsong.  Trust me, it’s there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do not know what in the heck happened in the picture below!  How I switched to black and white is beyond me, but at least you get a view of this pretty little garden house inside the Corsi Giardino.

Back to color, fortunately!

 

 

 

No garden is worth its salt unless it has a fountain!  And Giardino Corsi has one, of course.

 

 

 

On a surrounding wall of the garden you will find steps to climb above the fountain.  You will be glad you climbed them, for you are presented with this view of a gate to the Boboli Gardens.

 

 

 

On the day I visited the garden, wisteria was still trimming the corners of many vistas, including this one.

 

I think it’s pretty clear, this garden is a gem!