The need to find yourself, combined with the discovery of mysterious places able to isolate from the external world both physically and mentally. These are the typical themes of European literature, but they are such a modern topic as well. Today, many tourists seek in their trips inspiration oases created by nature or enriched by man to let the thoughts go and to forget the concerns of everyday life. Today I will take you by hand to discover some breathtaking Italian parks and gardens, able to amaze and recreate the magic of enchanted landscapes unique in their genre.
Park of monsters in Bomarzo is surely one of the most particular places in the world. It is located in the province of Viterbo and it extends over an area of about 3 hectares in a coniferous and broadleaf forest. During the sixteenth century, according to the wish of his owner, the Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, numerous basaltic sculptures have been installed in the garden by the architect Pirro Ligorio, portraying mythological animals, gods and monsters that resemble the classical world and fitting in a perfect way in surrounding vegetation, almost giving the impression that it was created by nature itself. The park has probably been designed as an “initiative path”: the visitors feel transported in a real oasis able to marvel everyone despite the “scary” name.
Situated in the amazing Capri island, in the north-east of Anacapri, this park was part of the doctor and writer Axel Munthe’s villa. It is predominantly composed by Mediterranean flora mixed with cypresses and birches typical of the northern landscapes, native location of the owner. It is considered by the experts as one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, its long avenues and the corners make it a place suitable for walks and meditation, perfect to relax body and mind.
This castle in province of Turin has been projected in XIX century by the court architect Xavier Kurten and it was one of the houses of Savoy family. Today it is still renowned for its gardens, a carpet of flowerbeds of colorful tulips blossoming among the centuries-old trees, with musk, blue bell and narcissus in the undergrowth. Of great impact is the prospective of the trees that frame the mountains in the background of the park. Panoramas that make you think.
Situated on a hill close to Grottamare, in Marche, it is an eighteenth century villa built on the remains of an ancient convent. Designed by Lazzaro Giosafatti under the commission of the Sgariglia family, the park has been developed on multiple terraces with an irregular configuration. The walls hide the garden creating an isolated and secretive place where you can be transported and inebriated by the intense colors and scents of cedar, lemon, bergamot, bitter orange and rose. A white gravel driveway leads to an evocative fountain full of fish and water lilies.
I made a selection for you some of the most evocative and enchanting natural oases in our beautiful Italy, now I can only wish you: have a nice trip!
Marco Sandrini, Chief Landscape Designer at Sandrini Green Architecture