The Iris Garden of Piazzale Michelangelo was created in 1954 to give hospitality to a yearly International Competition for the best variety of Iris 'The Florence Prize' on the initiative of Mrs. Flamina Specht and Mrs. Nita Stross Radicati, members of the Italian Friends of Flowers Society and enthusiastic hybridisers.
Their special interest made it possible to stage the event in Florence, regarded as its natural seat because of the historic ties that the city has always had with the flower. There is, in fact, a red Iris on a white ground (and not a lily as incorrectly believed) on Florence's banner, as emblem.
The Councillor for Arts and Gardens at that time, Piero Bargellini, sensed the importance of the initiative. He ensured that the Florence Council supported it and he managed to allocate the ground on the east side of Piazzale Michelangelo, the so called 'Farm of the ramparts' to the organisers, giving them the real possibility of holding the first International Iris Competition in 1954.