Jan 12, 2026 / 4:30PM
NYU Florence is different from any other Study Away site. Its campus is made up of Villa La Pietra’s world-famous gardens and the bucolic agricultural landscape that surrounds them. As a small, but perfect, 37acre Tuscany Villa Estate it produces food but its main purpose for more than 550 years has been the wellbeing of the community it serves. Today, that community is the students and staff that form the NYU Florence family.
Broadly, the estate may be divided in to two parts: the formal gardens where students may participate in outdoor classes, revise for upcoming exams or simply relax, take the sun and enjoy a homemade picnic in beautiful surroundings; the Community Farm made up of the olive groves and the walled garden, the Pomario, supplying the on-site cafeteria with fresh, zero-miles, produce in a way that is also good for our environment. Together they form a Green Laboratory of learning opportunities for a range of courses and extracurricular activities.
Through talks, workshops and the possibility to work on the Community Farm, Terra Firma aims to facilitate a deeper appreciation of this special place, to more fully enjoy it and to use it as a mirror reflecting wider issues in the world.
(Light refreshments included)
The Estate and Collections of Villa La Pietra: History, Practice, and Engagement
With an introduction to Museum Meetings & Terra Firma programs by Francesca Baldry, Villa La Pietra Collection Manager, and Nick Dakin-Elliot, La Pietra Horticultural Associate.
In collaboration with Museum Meetings
Speak to Nick if you like the idea of getting involved by working in the vegetable garden alongside professional gardeners who know what they are doing. An hour a week, or more if you wish, will allow you to witness seeds sown and plants planted that will grow to maturity during Spring in time to be harvested, cooked and served at the cafeteria before the Semester is finished.
Foraging with Picnic
Who knew you can pick and eat an abundance of natural wild-growing herbs on campus? Come help forage for edible greens from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm followed by lunch at the Stone Table.
From the Uffizi to the Prato Ovale: Flowers depicted in the Primavera
Part one. Look at and reflect upon the more than 150 species of wild flowers depicted in Botticelli’s famous Primavera painting. Discuss their iconography and their aesthetic contributions to this world-famous painting.
In collaboration with Museum Meetings
Planting and Sowing
Villa La Pietra produces zero-miles, organic, produce for its on-site cafeteria. Taking part in this practical session of sowing and planting will allow you to say that you helped grow some of the food that will be on your plate later in the semester.
Prato Ovale and the Wild Flowers
Part two. Partake in a picnic on one of Villa Pietra’s biodiverse, flower-rich, lawns, search for some of the seven species of wild orchids that grow there, reflect on the environmental impact of lawns across the western world and discuss the notion of ‘beautiful’ lawns.
Lemon Day
The Medici family had a thing about lemons; indeed citrus fruit in general. Come celebrate the history of citrus fruit in Tuscany, look at how they are grown, harvest fresh fruit, and join the gardeners and Italian students from local schools and colleges for a citrusthemed lunch and ice cream in the Pomario!