The marvelous Villa d’Este is located in Tivoli and is a true masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance as well as being on the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The construction of this place was entrusted to Pirro Ligorio, but the most important artists of the time also contributed, such as Bernini who, in this case, rivaled the technical and artistic virtuosity inspired by the splendor of ancient Rome.
The luxuriant terraced gardens built on the natural slopes and fed directly by the Aniene are incredible. There are more than 200 gushes, 250 waterfalls, 100 basins and 50 fountains, nymphaeums, caves, water games and hydraulic music that constitute a model repeatedly emulated in European Mannerist and Baroque gardens. The interiors decorated with frescoes with grotesques are also precious.
The garden must also be considered in the extraordinary landscape, artistic and historical context of Tivoli, which presents both the prestigious remains of ancient villas such as Villa Adriana, and an area rich in ravines, caves and waterfalls, symbol of a millennial war between stone and waters. The imposing buildings and the terraces upon terraces make one think of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world, while the water supply, with an aqueduct and a tunnel under the city, evokes the engineering wisdom of the Romans.
Foto di Manuela Mariani e Francesco Moriconi
Discussion about this post