Feeling comfortable in a new city you have never been to before is necessary for an autistic person. Speaking from experience, I can’t admit this enough. Here are some of the activities you can explore in Florence while also feeling at home and making sure your sensory overload isn’t about to go through the roof.
The Boboli Gardens
1. The Boboli Gardens were designed by Niccolò di Raffaello di Niccolò dei Pericoli for Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici. Begun in 1594, the purpose was to be somewhere the Medici family could while away their time. The layout and sculptures represent the Renaissance penchant for symmetry, order and beauty. The tranquility here is significant for neurodivergent people, providing all the silence and subtle sounds needed when exploring the whimsicalness that Boboli Gardens offer to the public eye. The exercise you get by walking around the different sections empowers and gives you stamina. For even more serenity, take a stroll to the top of the hill, where the views will remain imprinted on your mind.
Palazzo Medici Riccardi
2. Palazzo Medici Riccardi in central Florence was built for the ruling Medici family in the 15th century before it was transferred into the hands of the wealthy Riccardi family in the 1600s. The main elements that catch your eye are the magnificent paintings, which cleverly depict the clothes at the time. Likewise, there is a gorgeous ceiling, whose dark hues help to make the painting pop. If you have documentation showing that you are neurodivergent, you can have a free look around the quiet palace grounds, especially the courtyard garden, as well as lots of space to do your exploring, so there’s no need to worry about overcrowding and too much chatter.
The Bardini Gardens
3. The Bardini Gardens were created in the 17th century, originally as part of the art-dealing family estate. The garden contains elements of the Italian Renaissance period and the spring is a wonderful time to visit this floral place, especially when the wisteria is in bloom.
I hope this advice from an autistic teen helps you to explore historical and contemporary Florence.
