Frescobaldi Palace and Garden

The Frescobaldi family is one of the oldest and most important families of Florence, and they have strong ties to the Santo Spirito district; in fact, the historical family palace is in Via Santo Spirito. The family has owned many buildings in the district since the 16th Century; one of these was known as “House of the Courtyard” due to its large inner garden. Between 1621 and 1644, under Matteo Frescobaldi, the House of the Courtyard and the adjacent Frescobaldi buildings in Via Santo Spirito were joined to make one unified palace. The pearl of the palace, however, is hidden by the building itself. Its quiet inner garden has an impressive close-up view of the Church of Santo Spirito, a church financed by the Frescobaldi and built upon land donated by the family.

Originally the garden was divided into four parts with a central baroque fountain which is now located in the back. The garden has changed over the last 400 years but still maintains its oasis of peace. Today the garden has a large grassy area with a giant Magnolia tree outlined by a winding drive decorated with azaleas and a picturesque stone staircase leading up one side; and of course the dominating view of Santo Spirito with its massive walls and the bell tower. Of all the decorations, just a stone statue of Pan and that of two guard dogs remain; but it remains an oasis of peaceful tranquility in stark contrast to the bustling traffic of Santo Spirito.

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