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A rose by any other name smells as sweet, and many visitors to the Roseto Carla Fineschi, overwhelmed by the variety of botanical names, may be inclined just to spend their time smelling the
The Roseto was the passionate hobby of Dr. Gianfranco Fineschi, an orthopedic surgeon who, when not in his beloved garden, headed the Orthopedic practice at the Catholic University of Rome and the Orthopedic and Trauma program of its medical school. Beginning in 1963, Dr. Fineschi began planting roses in the garden of the old farmhouse in Cavriglia that he had inherited, eventually building that garden into one of the leading private collections of roses in the world. A bit more than a hectare, it is home to 7000 varieties of roses, some of which had been thought to be extinct before Dr. Fineschi found examples and propagated them. 
Each type of rose is labeled with its botanical name, date of introduction into Europe, and, in the case of hybrids, the hybridizer. The Roseto has provided rose cultivars for some important gardens, including the re-creation of Empress Josephine’s rose garden at the Chateau de Malmaison.
Created as a labor of love by Dr. Fineschi and his long-time gardener, Vittorio Carraese, the garden is now supported by La Fondazione Roseto Botanico di Cavriglia “Carla Fineschi.”
The Roseto is open to the public from May 1 through June 15. On a beautiful day it’s a joy for everyone, from hobby and professional gardeners to visitors just wanting a sweet place to relax with a good read.
– Contributed by Pam and Doug Walter, ItalianNotebook readers and part-time
residents of Tuscany. Many thanks!!
How absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. This looks like a must see for anyone visiting Tuscany at that time of year. I know it would be on my list – I would love to sit on that bench and paint those beautiful roses!
A fragrant hello from Frog Hollow Farm – what a beautiful place and what a commitment Dr. Fineschi had! I’ve never seen rosed growing in Italy now that I come to think of it – I will have to pay more attention next time I’m there and try to visit this wonderful place. Ciao, bella!
Rome’s rose garden is quite impressive. It was free and open to the public when we lived in Roma. There were many varieties that bloomed through spring, summer, and fall. The garden’s location: on the slope of the Aventine Hill, across from the Circus Maximus.
I AM A TRUE LOVER OF ALL FLOWERS, BUT THE ROSE IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME, SO I TRULY ENJOYED THIS “TUSCAN” TOUR. MY MOTHER’S NAME WAS ‘ROSE’ & SHE GRE THEM ALONG EITH MANY OTHER FLOWERS. I JUST PLANTED A ROSE BUSH IN HER MEMORY & IT IS THRIVING. MAYBE SOME DAY I WILL GET TO ITALY & GET TO SEE THIS GEORGEOUS GARDEN.
I would love to see this beautiful garden of roses. This was a very interesting report. Thank you for sharing this beauty.
Bravo Dr. Frineschi! I am daydreaming of being there right now. Thanks for this wonderful Note.
What a lovely place to spend time…my Mother’s name was Rose and we too have a rose bush in her memory which has weathered two moves to new homes and is as strong as ever, full of blooms and buds and this time of the year looking toward the sun every day! Thank you so much for the Note! Ciao, Rose’s Daughter, Doris!
Gratzi’ these beautiful roses only show a Glimpse of the Beautiful Earthly paradise Geova Promises us. In Revelation 21:4 where there will be “no more Pain or suffering nor death be anymore!”