The last thing you would expect to see in the centre of Florence is a banana plant growing. I came across this scene a while ago and it always amuses me when I walk along Borgo S.S. Apostoli.
The bananas are in the delightful garden which is the entrance to the Aria Art Gallery.
Here is a sneak peek at part of their current collection.
The building which houses the gallery dates back to 1534, but the gallery took over the space in 2009 and exhibits international contemporary art.
One of the benefits of being in fabulous Florence in winter is having the city almost to yourself…Ponte Vecchio without crowds.
…Piazza Signoria almost to yourself.
…no queue at the Uffizzi Gallery.
And if your are really lucky the sun will come out as it did for me on my last visit.
Aria Art Gallery…Borgo Santi Apostoli 40, Florence
(39) 055 216150
Hours…Monday – Saturday: 10.30 – 13.30 and 15.30 – 19.30
I wonder if the banana plant bears fruit. Florence without the crowds would be such a luxury. We have only been there when you can barely cross the Ponte Vecchio due to the overwhelming crowds.
By: Jim & Kerry on January 18, 2014
at 7:54 am
I don’t know whether the plants would produce fruit. I am amazed that they survive at all.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 18, 2014
at 8:05 am
Love the banana trees! I’ve tried to grow them here in the north but they’ve never survived. How beautiful and wintry Florence seems through your lens! It’s so crazy in summer…
By: Catherine on January 18, 2014
at 7:59 am
I think it would be too cold to produce bananas in Florence. There is a garden in Bagni di Lucca with plants. I must ask the owners if they ever get bananas. It is certainly hot enough in summer, but the winters can be very cold.
Florence on a good day in winter is heavenly.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 18, 2014
at 8:07 am
I love the look of banana trees. We had one in our garden in the Uk which did have small bananas !! but too small to eat. Maybe I`ll try to grow one in Bagni.
By: Rod on January 18, 2014
at 8:14 am
There used to be banana plants near your house, on the road to Villagio Globale. You should give them a try.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:55 pm
Beautiful season to be in Florence , without all the crowds of tourists. I did that one time in Venice, some years ago, spending there a week foggy and misty days , no tourists, it was like Venice was mine!!!
By: corneliaweberphotography on January 18, 2014
at 8:35 am
It is great to be in Italy in the off season. It is so much better without heat and crowds.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:56 pm
Love that banana tree and its tropical touch. Doubt that the fruit will be any good (Europe’s biggest banana producer is Spain; however, the fruit comes from the Canary Islands and not the mainland), but just the foliage is beautiful,
Love the Ponte Vecchio, one of my favourite places in Florence. Not really keen on the brassy, shiny merchandise sold by some, but the antique dealers who have some beautiful pieces. A pleasure to see…
By: mulino dominillo on January 18, 2014
at 9:25 am
Bananas grow in Queensland…I can’t imagine they would cope with the cold winters here.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:57 pm
The photographs are beautiful.
By: ranu802 on January 18, 2014
at 10:43 am
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:57 pm
Nice images, banana plants near the art gallery… very interesting.
By: Sreejith Nair on January 18, 2014
at 11:11 am
I’m sure they would grow much better where you live.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:58 pm
Yea 🙂
I think they are seen more in tropical places, right? and it’s a common plant in each and every house here in south India.
By: Sreejith Nair on January 20, 2014
at 3:48 am
I Loved Florence when I was there as a high school Senior
By: photosbyandy on January 18, 2014
at 2:34 pm
Florence is a beautiful city. I am lucky to be able to go there so often.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:58 pm
Since I will never get to go there…this was lovely. And I didn’t have to close my eyes to see…just open them wide and enjoy!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
By: dayphoto on January 18, 2014
at 9:35 pm
I hope you see Florence one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 7:59 pm
Hehe it’s a bit of Queensland in Florence! Definitely unexpected 😛
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on January 19, 2014
at 5:14 am
The plants seem quite out of place, but great just the same.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 8:00 pm
Hmmmm–I wouldn’t have expected to see a banana tree either. I’m curious to know if there was fruit?
Hope you’ve enjoying your weekend, Debra!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on January 19, 2014
at 3:05 pm
I doubt that the fruit would grow, but the plants look healthy. It is raining and miserable this weekend, but what can you do?
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 8:01 pm
I’m homesick for Italy…..! How long will you be in Bagni?
I imagine those banana trees in Florence must be a sight. It’s so wonderful to read your blog. Thanks Debra. Love, Sondra
By: Sondra on January 19, 2014
at 6:49 pm
I am going home to Brisbane in a few days but I will be back mid March.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 19, 2014
at 8:01 pm
As ever, Firenze is full of surprises. Banana tress and without crowds are two of them!
By: kayrpea61 on January 20, 2014
at 7:50 am
I wish I could jump on a plane right now! Keep the beautiful photos coming!
By: Anonymous on January 20, 2014
at 2:43 pm
Some old favourites here…. 😉
By: janinevasta on January 21, 2014
at 5:38 am
Have too many favourites here in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 21, 2014
at 3:27 pm
I know… the longer you’re there…. Non basta una vita….
By: janinevasta on January 22, 2014
at 6:02 am
No, one life is not enough.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 25, 2014
at 4:00 am
I haven’t spent much time in Florence, just a night or 2 but I’d love to spend more time (and watch out for the banana tree!)
By: Where's Wiwi? on January 21, 2014
at 8:48 am
Florence with a banana tree in the dead of winter! An amazing thought. Nice post with lovely photos! Thank you for a fun article…
By: timelessitaly on January 21, 2014
at 3:35 pm
I amazed that the plants grow there at all…who would have thought?
By: Debra Kolkka on January 22, 2014
at 5:29 am