Tepidarium Greenhouse in the Horticulture Garden – Art Nouveau in Florence, Italy
The Tepidarium del Roster, located in the Horticulture Garden (Giardino dell'Orticoltura) in Florence, Italy, is one of the finest and most monumental examples of Art Nouveau (Stile Liberty) greenhouses in the country.
This exquisite structure combines the elegance of glass and iron architecture with the emerging decorative language of Art Nouveau, particularly foreshadowing the organic curves and floral inspiration that would define the style in Italy in the decades to follow. The Tepidarium is a majestic greenhouse pavilion composed almost entirely of large arched glass panels framed by a lightweight yet graceful iron framework. This transparency and structural clarity allow light to flood the interior while showcasing the building’s skeleton in an artistic way.
Though many Art Nouveau buildings embrace asymmetry, the Tepidarium retains a symmetrical footprint and rhythm, which was influenced by classical greenhouse architecture. However, its lightness, curvature, and floral details firmly root it in the Art Nouveau spirit. The central dome and rounded arches add a soaring, cathedral-like quality, elevating a functional horticultural structure into an architectural showpiece.
Location: Via Bolognese, 17A, 50139 Firenze FI, Italy