Garden

The history of our garden dates back to the second half of the fifteenth century, during the flourishing golden age of the Florentine Renaissance. Lorenzo de’ Medici, known as The Magnificent, chose the Garden of San Marco on Via San Gallo to establish a renowned School of Art and Sculpture. A place dedicated to beauty in all its forms, where emerging talents were nurtured and inspired. Among them was a youthful Michelangelo Buonarroti, already honing his sculpting skills with extraordinary talent. Legend has it that in that very garden, a lasting partnership between The Magnificent and Michelangelo was forged, one that would go on to transform the course of art history.

The legacy of the Medici School of Art and Sculpture may have faded, but its timeless influence lives on in our breathtaking garden. Hotel Orto de’ Medici stands proudly on the site of the former Garden of San Marco, now home to a lush, meticulously maintained green oasis. The charm of the Renaissance still surrounds the ancient cinnamon tree, especially in spring, when its unique bloom fills the air with a beauty unlike any other. It's a stunning view – just like the serene greenery – that invites you to pause, relax, and unwind whenever you need it.

In the fifteenth century, Via San Gallo was adorned with monasteries and gardens, including the Garden of San Marco, the birthplace of the Medici art school. In the nineteenth century, Grand Duke Leopold commissioned the construction of impressive buildings along the street, including the one that now houses the Hotel Orto de’ Medici. The Socci family, who purchased the building, enhanced it with stunning frescoes and preserved the enchanting spirit of the garden, further elevating it with a terrace that is now accessed from the breakfast room. Since the mid-twentieth century, the building has been owned by the Bufalini family, who, through a thoughtful restoration, have preserved its Medici charm while seamlessly blending it with modern comforts.