The ideal of the 16th-century Italian garden, and a place of unique and enduring beauty.

Designed in the 1560s for Cardinal Gambara, probably by Vignola, with aterworks by Ghinucci. A spring generates a series of elaborate water features - fountains and a water-chain - finishing in a square pool surrounded by a parterre. The double villa, terraces, water features and planting are superbly integrated, and the statuary is worth a journey in its own right. This is a virtually complete example of the garden style which lies at the root of European garden history. The adjacent park is part of the original design and just as important.

Written by  Steven Desmond.

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