Our Roots
An Insight at the Crossroads of History and Innovation
The story of Orti Dipinti began in 2013 with a vision by architect Giacomo Salizzoni. Looking down at the city from above on Google Maps, Giacomo spotted a forgotten space in the heart of Borgo Pinti, Florence.
At that moment, the desire was born to transform a former athletic track into a catalyst for environmental awareness: a nature project in the city where design finally meets the earth.
After a journey spanning more than ten years, Orti Dipinti is today much more than a garden: it is a permanent botanical garden in Florence and a laboratory for active citizenship right in the heart of the historic center.
This space embodies an authentic aesthetic, where contemporary design meets nature in a constant dialogue between history and innovation.
A millennia-old connection with Florence (UNESCO Site)
The LocationOur location is no accident; it is deeply rooted in our identity. Orti Dipinti is situated in an area that, even before the Renaissance, was dedicated to urban agriculture within the city walls. We are proud to be the only social urban garden located within a UNESCO site in Florence.
Before our rebirth, this state-owned space housed an athletic track. Thanks to our collaboration with the Gaetano Barberi Association and Social Cooperative and our ongoing dialogue with the City of Florence, we have restored the land to its original purpose.
Today, the project is divided into two open areas, designed to allow the care of plants to coexist with the growth of the community.
Social Identity: The Community Garden Model
We draw inspiration from Anglo-Saxon-style community gardens, where sustainability is not merely an ecological concept, but a perfect balance between social interaction, the economy, and innovation:
- Economic Sustainability: We work to create a replicable model that ensures dignity and value for workers and volunteers.
- Research and Health: We promote technological experimentation in agriculture and education on healthy eating.
- Inclusion: The beating heart of the space remains its connection to the Gaetano Barberi Social Cooperative, whose volunteers and young people with diverse abilities care for the garden every day.
A Living Organism: The APS Association
Orti Dipinti thrives as a Social Promotion Association (APS).
This structure allows us to engage with institutions, participate in calls for proposals, and actively collaborate with citizens.
Over the years, Salizzoni’s visionary leadership has been joined by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who handle maintenance, communication, and event planning.
We are not a static entity, but an organism that evolves alongside those who engage with it.
Together for the City: Things to Do in Florence Amid Greenery and Culture
Our roots are deeply intertwined with the social fabric of Florence.
Thanks to the vital support of organizations like Il Bisonte and our collaboration with educational institutions, non-profits, and local associations, Orti Dipinti has become a cultural hub.
If you’re wondering what to do in Florence for an authentic experience, this is where academic training meets farming knowledge.
Local organizations come together to create unique events, workshops, and moments of sharing, making nature in the city accessible to everyone.
