The Tarot Garden, an unmissable place in Tuscany

Finally after a few years I went back to one of my favorite places in Tuscany: the Tarot Garden in Maremma near Capalbio.

History

This sculpture garden is really unique. Here you can admire the incredible sculptures by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who was inspired by Guadi artworks as well as by the Monsters Park in Biomarzo (near Viterbo).

She decided to create her own dreaming sculpture park and bought some land in Gravicchio near Capalbio in Maremma. She started her work in 1979 and worked for over 17 years thanks to help of specialized workers and famous artists such as his husband Jean Tinguely. The garden opened in 1998.

The Garden

The park is a real small city, where Niki used to live. There are 22 big statues representing the greater Mysteries of the tarot such as the Magician and the High Priestess, that welcome the visitor. There are also the Empress, structure that was her home, the Hierophant with colorful and multiform columns, the Justice, the Wheel of fortune, the Death and the Judgment.

The sculptures, some of which are walkable, are made of a reinforced concrete and covered with mirrors and colorful ceramic mosaic, that she personally created. They’re all enriched with thoughts and sketches by Niki that aimed to create a magic and fascinated place. One of my favorite is “If life is a game of cards we are born without knowing the rules.”

Details

The Tarot Garden is open from April to October from 2.30pm to 7.30pm. Ticket costs 12 euro, that will help the foundation to restore and preserve Niki’s artworks. For special openings and other information visit the official site.

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