Beyond the Yalla Dog

The Giant Apennine by Gaimbologna in the Villa Demidoff Park at Pratolino

As a monster the gigantic Apennine by Giambologna, based in the Villa Demidoff Park at Pratolino, takes some beating – in former days it was possible for people to walk inside his head – but the health and safety brigade could never allow it now.

The whole park was once a place of marvels with grottos and mystic water-jets and enigmatic symbols  designed to entertain and amaze – but now children follow their parents lamenting that they have had to leave the modern day embodiment of such thrills and spills – the amusement park.

Here there be Dragons

But there must be moments of fear – as here there be Dragons!

Unfortunately the Villa created by Francesco di Medici –  son of Grand Duke Cosimo 1 – for trysts with his mistress Bianca Cappello no longer exists but the garden offers free entrance at the weekend and it’s size provides plenty of exercise.

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