
The Garden of Disco Nightmares
Florence, Italy
If you had a crazyyy dream about Dali hosting a party at Studio 54, it wouldn’t be anywhere near as weird and fabulous as this Tuscan garden.
Artist Niki de Saint Phalle had a dream when she was stuck in a hospital, that one day she’d make a garden full of giant sculptures of tarot figures.
And by the gods of disco, did she make it happen.
And by the gods of disco, did she make it happen.
The local postman, Ugo Celletti, saw the sculptures, and decided to join in by covering 'em in mosaic.
He got so absorbed in his new hobby of attaching mirrors to monster nipples that he used to forget about his postal rounds.
He got so absorbed in his new hobby of attaching mirrors to monster nipples that he used to forget about his postal rounds.
Inspired by Gaudi and Facteur Cheval, Niki started the garden in the late seventies. The project finished when she died in 2002.
These days it’s one of the weirdest (and bestest) ways to explore the Tuscan countryside.
These days it’s one of the weirdest (and bestest) ways to explore the Tuscan countryside.
Il Giardino dei Tarocchi is one hour from Florence. It’s open from 2.30pm - 6.15pm between April 1st and October 15th.