villagamberaia.it Open in urlscan Pro
5.133.11.229  Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

A CLASSIC FORMAL TUSCAN GARDEN


THE GARDEN OF VILLA GAMBERAIA

      



The formal gardens of Tuscany are often overlooked by visitors to this part of
Italy. In fact, they should rank near the top of the list of worthwhile sights
for visitors to Tuscany in terms of pure enjoyment as well as aesthetic and
historical interest.

Here we quote from a book by Mrs. Linda Villari (1836-1905), an English writer
and the wife of the Italian historian and politician, Pasquale Villari. In her
book "On Tuscan Hills and Venetian Waters", published in 1885 in London by T.
Fisher Unwin, the first chapter is entitled "A Tuscan Villa" which describes
Villa Gamberaia at Settignano, on the hills outside Florence. The villa, which
originated in the 14 C, takes its name

After a brief description of the villa, Mrs Villari concentrates her attention
on its 18 C garden. Villa Gamberaia is in a beautiful position: "No position
could have been better chosen, no outlay [has been] spared in planning its
groves and gardens. It clings midway on the olive-clad slopes rising from the
basin of the Arno to the pine-fringed ridge that sweeps round from Monte Ceceri
to Compiobbi; and its ilex woods and cypresses interrupt the soft monotony of
the grey-green foliage above and below its terraced walls" (p. 6). "In the
middle of the main garden", she continues, "where vines and vegetables,
fruits-trees and Egyptian wheat are bordered with pink and red roses, there is a
fountain where Cupid on a dolphin 'sprinkleth water' on the goldfish below, and
can on occasion shoot jets of spray almost as high as the eaves of the house.
Across the grass, and directly opposite the eastern door, is a narrow enclosure
of the true rococo style. It has miniature flower-beds and paths; a fine oval
fountain of granite, with graceful handles, set in a circular carved basin,
decorates the alcove at its end. Stones deities and troubadours are set in
niches round its walls and draped with climbing weeds, while two dainty flights
of steps on either side communicate with the ilex wood and the upper garden.
Great bushes of lavender guard these steps with their fragrant spikes, and roses
lean down from the trellised arbours that are fit entries to the treasury of
flowers above" (pp. 17-18). 

The chapter is provided with illustrations by Mrs Blanche Strahan Lemon: 'A
Tuscan Villa' (p. 7), 'The Val d’Arno From the Terrace' (p. 11), 'The Villa
Terrace' (p. 19).






MORE ABOUT VILLA GAMBERAIA AND THE GARDENS OF THE TUSCAN VILLAS.

 * Edith Wharton in Italy - villas and gardens of Tuscany.
   

 * "In a Tuscan garden" - who was the author of this book?

 * A brief guide to the villas of Tuscany.
   

 * Villa Gamberaia as an expression of the Renaissance concept of civilised
   living.
   

 * Italian Renaissance villas and gardens.
   

 * Gardens of Tuscany.

Visit the gardens of Villa Gamberaia.



Web hosting, web site design, content management, by ammonet

All original material, translations, images and coding Copyright © Villa
Gamberaia 2015 - 2020. All rights reserved.