The historic gardens of Palazzo Vai is once again as harmonious as they were from the mid-1400s until the Second World War, when their function was put to practical use before they were completely transformed into a car park.
This is what Monash University found when it moved into Palazzo Vai in 2001. The Australian university had the idea of restoring the external part of the palace, built entirely in Extradura stone, to its original state and, having asked for and received the green light from the Superintendency, was able to proceed with the work to make the project a reality. In one year, the fountain, the paths, the seats, the magnolia trees, the box hedges and the lemon trees have been restored to their original splendour. Calamina Urbano supplied the sandblasted Extradura di Firenzuola stone used for this important restoration work.
