Welcome to the enchanting Giardini Pubblici di La Spezia, a verdant oasis steeped in history and natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of La Spezia, these public gardens not only offer a serene retreat from the urban hustle but also serve as a living museum, showcasing a remarkable journey from medieval fortifications to lush landscapes. As we delve into the evolution of these gardens, from their inception in the early 19th century to their current status as one of Italy’s most beautiful botanical treasures, we invite you to discover the rich tapestry of flora, monumental artworks, and architectural developments that define this spectacular green space.

During the first half of the nineteenth century, the medieval walls that still surrounded the city were demolished. The city began to extend towards the shores, and in 1824, it was equipped with a small portion of public park, where currently the music pavilion known as “il Boschetto” is located.
Within a few decades, the core of the Public Gardens expanded, acquiring the meadow in front of the Doria Palace, located along Via Chiodo, where a formal garden was designed, centered around a circular central flowerbed, which later became the site of the large equestrian sculpture still one of the city’s symbols today, dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi by Antonio Garella, inaugurated on June 1, 1913.

The subsequent construction of the Civic Theater and the Croce di Malta hotel further contributed to projecting the social life of the La Spezia community towards the sea, enhancing the use of these spaces. The construction of the Military Arsenal caused significant changes, transforming the area between the historic city and the western bank of the Gulf.

Public spaces and green areas multiplied and became vastly more extensive. During the 1910s and 1920s, the public greenery took on the layout that still characterizes and distinguishes it today. The city would be adorned with wild orange trees along the main streets and the final design of the Public Gardens.

Staying at the Downtown Blue Apartment, you can also easily reach on foot the wonderful Public Gardens, among the most beautiful in Italy, rich in numerous and rare botanical species.