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If you walked down this street in Verona you would not know that the entrance to a magnificent Renaissance garden is behind the buildings. Created by Agostino Giusti four hundred years ago to enhance his palace, the Giardino Giusti is a gem of an example of botanical beauty and art.
The garden’s rows of cypresses and geometrical flowerbeds are enhanced by sculpture and fountains. You can try your skill in the hedgerow maze. 
If you look around you will also find a grotto, an abandoned chapel and a great view of the city of Verona. You will see, as visitors from all over the world have, a marvel of profound beauty and design. It still stands today as one of the most magnificent gardens in Europe.
- Contributed by John Diglio, ItalianNotebook.com reader. Many thanks!
I love this garden! We visited several times when we lived in Verona! Un Bel’Giardino! I agree – the views are fantastic! Thanks for reminding me of this beautiful spot.
I agree with Rosemary – I love this garden! It’s definitely off the main area tourists go to in the city center, but well-worth a visit. Thanks, John – great pictures!
My Dad was born in Verona and i’m sure he visited the garden several times before he married and came to the U. S. A. I’m hopeing to be able to go to Italy in september if we do I will be sure to visit the beautiful gardin.
Thank you Italion Notebookfor all the emails.
This is one that I will visit. Previously, I stayed at a farm (agriturismo) near Valeggio sul Mincio. For 30 euro a night, it is one of the best places I have stayed. Verona and Valeggio are great cities to visit. Villafranco di Verona is close-by. All three cities have either a castle or amphitheater.
Those different shades of green! Like the Indonesian ricefields, breathtaking.
I missed the gardens when I was in Verona, but it’s on my “must do’s” for next time. Thanks for the great note!
We visited Verona on a rainy day in September, and had time to find Juliet’s balcony and a bakery that sold the largest, most delicious form of shortbread. I would go back to Verona to find that bakery, and of course, visit this very beautiful garden. Thank you!
The closest that I have come to visiting an Italian garden is at Longwood Gardens (a Dupont estate) near Chadsford, Pa. The Itailian water garden there is really lovely and soothing to ponder, but I am certain the Giardino Giusti Gardens are much more magnificent. Certainly judging by John’s photos that is true. Thanks for giving us a glance into the real thing.
We love it, too. See another take on the garden published in November 2008:http://www.italiannotebook.com/places/giusti-gardens/
Wow… what a secret gem! I wish I had known about this when I was in Verona (a city I LOVE), and I will absolutely visit it the next time. Thanks for a wonderful note.