The Renaissance villas around Florence are famous, and their collections of citrus trees are considered the oldest in the world. What’s behind the “Italian style” gardens, where you can find them – and what computer games have to do with them.
A blooming apple tree in the garden of Villa Castello Medicea near Florence.
(Photo: Christine Webb/mauritius images / Alamy Stock P)
Spring in Florence. The old town is crowded and people are queuing for paintings and sculptures at the Uffizi Gallery. There are other, no less interesting approaches to the culture of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. About half an hour up the hills is Villa Schifanoia. The name comes from schivar la noia, i.e. escape from boredom. The country estate became famous for the “Decameron” by Giovanni Boccaccio. The framework story tells how ten young women and men flee from the plague. Afterwards they sing, dance and stroll in the gardens of the villa, and yes: they also tell stories. What you do when you’re young, rich and well-read.