FIRENZE,
FLORENCE, FLORENZ, FLORENCIA
BUONTALENTI CAVE (GROTTA DEL
BUONTALENTI) IN THE BOBOLI GARDEN (GIARDINO DI BOBOLI) |
 |
| The
Grotta del Buontalenti, was realised between 1583-1593 by Bernardo Buontalenti (Firenze
1536-1608), this cave is one of the most celebrated aspects of the Boboli gardens, it's a
stylised cave filled with fake stalactites and stalagmites and statues of sheep, shepherds
and roman goddesses. The facade is a work of Giovanni Battisata del Tadda. The cave is
formed by a series of three communicating chambers: the first, with stuccowork
decorations, is characterised by pastoral scenes executed by Bernardino Poccetti
(1542-1612) and it sheltered until 1924 the "Prigioni" of Michelangelo (now at
the Galleria dell'Accademia, in the cave are copies); the second contains a marble statue
group depicting the abduction of Paride and Elena, sculpted by Vincenzo Rossi da Fiesole
(1525-1587); the third, frescoed by Poccianti, has a fine fountain by Giambologna
(1529-Firenze 1608) depicting Venere al Bagno (Venus emerging from the water) after
bathing. |
|
The Cave it's located close the entrance of the Boboli Garden and in the point
where is the finish of the Corridoio Vasariano. |
| The facade of the grotta del
Buontalenti. The facade is a work of Giovanni Battista del Tadda. |
| Bernardo
Buontalenti (Firenze 1536-1608) was an architect, sculptor, painter, miniaturist and
military engineer, he was one of the protagonist of the Tuscan architecture in the 16th
century. As superintendent of the civil and military factories in the Grand Duchy, he
oversaw the fortifications of Florence, Prato, Leghorn, Pistoia, Grosseto, Siena and Elba
Island. Buontalenti also invented war equipment, mechanical instruments, automatons and
ingenious apparatuses for the entertainment of guests. His most important works include
the villa and the garden of Pratolino, the contributions to the construction of the
Uffizi, the grotto in the Boboli garden, the Belvedere fortress, the villas of Artiminio
and of Cerreto Guidi, his work at Poggio a Caiano, and the port of Leghorn. |
| The delicate colours of the ceiling of
the first chamber, with stuccowork decorations, characterised by pastoral scenes, executed
by Bernardino Poccetti (1542-1612). |
| The delicate colours of the ceiling of
the first chamber, with stuccowork decorations, characterised by pastoral scenes, executed
by Bernardino Poccetti (1542-1612). |
FEATURED HOTELS IN FLORENCE
| The delicate colours of the ceiling of
the first chamber, with stuccowork decorations, characterised by pastoral scenes, executed
by Bernardino Poccetti (1542-1612). |
| The coat of arms of the Medici family
and the two figures representing the "Peace" and the "Justice". The
Medici family emblem, a number of red balls on a gold shield, is displayed on buildings
all over Florence and Tuscany. The origins of the Medici coat of arms, whose design was
changed several times over the years, is not known. The ball on the top is blue and
painted with the lilies of France, according to a priviledge received from King Louis XI
in exchange for diplomatic services. |
| The interior of the first chamber. The
decoration with bas-relief are work of Pietro Mati. The two statues (on the extreme Right
and on the extreme left) are the copies of the "Prigioni" of Michelangelo (the
originals are now at the Galleria dell'Accademia). On the background is visible a marble
statue group depicting the abduction of Paride and Elena, sculpted by Vincenzo Rossi da
Fiesole (1525-1587). |
| |
|
