Appointment in the Garden - Villa Baciocchi

A day among the rare plants of the Villa Baciocchi park

Every year at the beginning of June, the park of Villa Baciocchi in Capannoli takes part in Appuntamento in Giardino, the national event promoted by the APGI (Association of Parks and Gardens of Italy) to celebrate and raise awareness of the peninsula's extraordinary green heritage. Launched in 2018, the initiative takes place simultaneously with the French Rendez-vous aux jardins and similar events in over twenty European countries, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture.

In Capannoli, a small town in the Valdera area in the province of Pisa, the event features a free guided tour of the villa's Botanical Park, a precious opportunity to explore a historic garden that preserves a botanical heritage of rare richness.

The historic garden and its botanical heritage

The garden of Villa Baciocchi dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when the owners commissioned the gardener Luigi Bellincioni to reorganize the paths, entrances, and furnishings. Bellincioni dotted the park with small structures in various styles: shrines frescoed with landscapes, neo-Gothic constructions, and rustic grottoes, which remain among the most evocative elements of the walk today.

The park currently hosts about 160 rare botanical species, some from different parts of the world and identified with descriptive labels fixed at the base of each plant. Among the most important centuries-old specimens are the sequoia, the bamboo, and the yew, the true stars of the guided tours.

The villa and its history

The residence was built in a late-Baroque and neoclassical style on a site where an ancient castle stood, documented as early as 843. Completely renovated in the mid-18th century, it was purchased in 1833 by the Baciocchi marquises. The interiors preserve frescoes depicting Count Felice Baciocchi and his wife Elisa Bonaparte, Napoleon's sister. Today, the villa is municipally owned and houses the Zoological Museum and the Archaeological Documentation Center.

Who it is for

The event is designed for families, botany and historic garden enthusiasts, curious visitors, and tourists who wish to discover a lesser-known corner of Tuscany. Participation is free, but the guided tour requires a reservation, which can be made by contacting the Villa Baciocchi Museums. It is an ideal occasion to combine the discovery of nature with the exploration of the village and the Valdera territory.