The spectacular gardens of Villa Lante, one of the most famous Italian Mannerist gardens of the 16th century, are the subject of an online project – #andarpergiardini – created by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hamburg. They are the main attraction of Villa Lante, located in Bagnaia, which is part of the Municipality of Viterbo. The visit is possible on the Institute’s social channels, Facebook and Instagram, until February 22.
The construction of the villa and the gardens, commissioned in 1511 by Cardinal Giovanni Francesco Gambara, was based on the design of the famous Mannerist architect Jacopo Barozzi, known as Il Vignola, with the contribution of the Sienese architect and hydraulic expert Tommaso Ghinucci and the architect Pirro Ligorio. Since December 2014, it has been managed by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage through the Polo Museale of the Lazio Region.
The complex has a surface area of 22 hectares, and consists of a flat area with a large Italian-style garden, in front of which there are two twin lodges with very different interior frescoes, and, between them, a scenic path of water features, waterfalls and fountains that descend down the hill. The geometry of the Italian-style garden houses the famous square fountain, known as the Moors’ fountain, at the centre of which there is a life-size sculptural group of four Moors surmounted by the Montalto coat of arms.
