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Just outside of
Rome near the small town of Tivolli is the Villa d’Este and its spectacular water gardens.
When Cardinal
Ippolito II d’Este arrived in Tivoli as civil governor of the town in 1550, the
son of Lucrezia Borgia decided the Benedictine monastery was too modest for
him. So he embarked on creating something far more grandiose.
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A tunnel was
excavated 600 metres long and over two metres in diameter, allowing water to
course through at more than 1,200 litres per second. That water was channelled
into large tanks, ready to feed the water features. In today’s money, the work
would cost a minimum of £100m.
I’m not one for
remembering statistics but Google is – 35,000 square metres of gardens, 290
nozzles, 250 waterfalls, 100 ponds, 50 fountains and 3 fishponds. That all adds
up to something rather special.
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Do the statistics reveal how many slaves died in the process? No, I thought not. Spectacular and lovely nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteBuilt in the name of their god, Lizy.
DeleteOooh, gorgeous. I do love water gardens, so relaxing and tranquil - anything to do with water, really. Lizy's comment is interesting. I wonder.
ReplyDeleteThe sound is so calming.
DeleteThe gardens sound fascinating, I'd love to see them. If I ever go back to Rome I'll make a point of going there if I can.
ReplyDeleteYou should!
DeleteOh I love gardens and to walk here must have just been something special
ReplyDeleteIt most certainly was!
Delete