Giardino Bardini and Giardino Boboli in Florence

. size: large

. open to public, entrance fee, combined ticket for both gardens

. Photos from September 2015

Giardino Bardini - wisteria

Giardino Bardini - rose garden

Palazzo Pitti as seen from the Boboli Gardens. In the middle you can see an Egyptian obelisk. Boboli gardens are the biggest Medici garden. 

Both gardens have an excellent view on the city of Florence

A long cypress lane with sculptures at both sides

Isolotto, the island fountain with a statue of Oceanus. Under the main statue there are allegorical sculptures of Euphrates, Nile and Ganges.

Schönbrunn Garden, Vienna, Austria

. size: big

. open to public, free entrance

. photos from September 2012
. a zoo and a botanical garden also lie in the same park

The garden axis points towards Gloriette (view from Great Parterre)

Colorful begonias in flower beds of Schoenbrunn in September

Schoenbrunn imperial summer residence was supposed to be as magnificent as Versailles. The palace was supposed to be built on the top of the hill. However, the plan was later changed.

Jardins du chateau de Versailles

. open to public, entrance fee

. size: big (garden axis is 3 km long)

. photos from June 2013

Versailles garden was made by architects Le Notre and Le Vau and painter Le Brune. The three of them also made a garden in Vaux le Vicomte for the finance minister Foquet. Versailles is bigger and more magnificent than Vaux le Vicomte but its parts look less connected. 

The orangery

Close up of a pattern

One of many fountains. Do not miss the fountains show (grandes eaux) when visiting the garden. 

Grotto des Bains d'Apollon (Apollon's bath). It was first located in a bosco and later moved in a romantic environment of an artificial cliff. 

The pyramid fountain

Winter in Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg, Austria

 Shades of pink in Schloss Mirabell

. public

. no entrance fee

. size: small

Photos from December 2016

Although December may not be the best time to visit European gardens, there were pansies blooming at Schloss Mirabell garden.

Mythological sculptures

The garden was made in early baroque period and was influenced by Italian and French gardens of the era.