How many things there are to discover in Tuscan land. It is not only its sea that makes it a perfect destination for travel and excursions, because the hills, landscape and cities that populate it are no less.
An example? The Tarot Garden is one of the most interesting themed art parks on the Italian scene. It is located in the resort Garavicchio,a hamlet of Capalbio in the province of Grosseto, in the Maremma, and was made by Niki de Saint Phalle, the French-American artist who was inspired by Antoni Gaudì's Parque Goell and the Bomarzo Monster Park.
Seventeen years of work completed in 1998 that led to the creation of 22 steel and concrete sculptures rich in mirrors, glass and ceramics that represent as many arcane tarot cards: they are located along a spiritual path where you can find messages and quotes.
The Tarot Garden represents niki de Saint Phalle's magical and spiritual dream.
Curious the history behind this place
In 1974, the artist was "forced" to a period of convalescence in St. Moritz where she met Marella Agnelli, art collector and wife of Gianni Agnelli. The two women like each other and discuss the project that had been going on in de Phalle's head for a while.
Once back in Italy Marella,together with brothers Carlo and Nicola Caracciolo, decides to make their own land available in the property in Garavicchio in Tuscany.
A perfect combination of art, spirituality and nature,considering the wonderful landscape in which it is immersed, the Tarot Garden is a perfect representation of the transition from the real world to that of dreams,where every element finds its harmony. The sculptures of the garden are colorful, fascinating, magnetic,unique in sculpture and their kind.
What you can admire
The Tarot Garden covers a total area of 2 hectares. The entrance pavilion is made by Mario Botta and consists of a long tuff wall with a circular opening in the center and the fascinating benches made by Pierre Marie Le Jeune.
The visit starts from the wheel of fortune, an automatic mechanical sculpture made by Jean Tiguely, in the middle of a bathtub dominated by the figures of the Wizard and the Papessa. To be careful during the visit to the spiritual path full of messages, thoughts and quotes that will accompany visitors until the exit of this park that can be considered a real path to art in all its forms.
Walking around this place, like a work by Gaudì in Tuscany, is a unique experience for adults but also for children who will be fascinated by the games of mirrors and art that the eclectic American artist has managed to realize on maremmana land.
When to visit the garden
The garden is not open all year round, which is why you need to know precisely the opening times and period so as not to make a useless visit.
Currently you can visit the park from June 10 (due to the lockdown) and we invite you to review the procedures related to safety.
The full and accurate visit (which is absolutely the recommended one) takes at least forty minutes,but it is better to leave the commitments at home and abandon, without looking at the clock, to the beauty of this place.
Image source: flickr, museo ettore fico, progress online, wikimedia
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