Villa Lante.
Villa Lante is located in the centre of Bagnaia and impossible to find. Up an unassuming street with signs covered by foliage.
It’s a total joy when you discover the entrance and at 2-euro admission the bargain of the trip.
Created by Jiacomo Barozzi da Vignola for Cardinal Gambaira in 1566. More clipped box and fountains than you can shake a stick at. Symmetrical and perfectly balance, brimming with classical statues and architecture, it tastefully adorns its sloping site.
By total contrast the garden at Sacro Bosco (by Pirro Lagorio for Vicino Orsini in 1552) is the grossest, anti art and unnerving visit so far. It lay neglected for centuries and was only rediscovered in the 20C. Giant, ugly, carved figures wrestle in the undergrowth. Faces leer out at you and enormous mouths open wide to gobble you up, houses lean disconcertingly and everything is ugly ugly ugly but what fun.
Villa Lante.
The Crayfish Rill
Sacro Bosco. Giants fighting over Andy.
Qute a mouthfull. 
I want one of those in my garden. Wouldn't that be fun as a shed! Can I commission one from Andy when he gets back???
ReplyDeleteLots of love.
Hilary
wow what an amazing garden!
ReplyDeleteYou Mr R are looking so slim we'll be saying you're gaunt by the time you get home!!
Fi
xx