In the 18th century, the garden was much more than a decorative space: it represented the perfect balance between nature and art.
The garden was a place where symmetry, perspective, and botany came together to reflect taste, knowledge, and status. From the majestic hornbeam avenues that shaded summer walks, to the botanical gardens with exotic plants, to the nymphaeums and fountains that celebrated water as a vital element, every detail was designed to astonish and enchant.
The care of the greenery thus became a symbol of harmony and refinement, capable of uplifting the spirit and connecting humanity to the beauty of the natural world.
The Rose Garden
The rose trellis that embraces the view of the Valletta del Silenzio greets visitors with an explosion of colors and an irresistible fragrance. In the past, instead of roses, the wall and the terrace balustrade were adorned with statues, as shown in the delicate watercolors by Elena Garzadori.
In front of the Palazzina, where today a large green oval opens up, there once stood a true botanical garden: meticulously tended flowerbeds housed exotic plants, each carefully labeled and classified.
The "Ciacolesso"
The “Ciacolesso” was the corner of the garden where the family entertained guests with games, conversations, and performances. The square area is enclosed by a low wall, with a well at the center.
The scenic backdrop, which separates the space from the valley, served as a setting for performances and as a structure for water games. Inside this structure, there was a mechanism that collected rainwater and made it flow into the stone basin, adorned with a bas-relief of a rose garden, symbolizing ideal love.
Next to the basin, two stone seats bear inscriptions, including the game of tria. The fresco on the wall depicts two intertwined dolphin tails, three children seated, a little dog on a ladder, and a young woman observing from a windowsill.
The Hornbeam Avenues
The rear park is a perfect example of balance and perspective, designed to enchant those who admire it from the windows of the hall or from the terrace.
An elegant gravel path, framed by two stunning galleries of white hornbeam trees, leads from the Palazzina’s staircase to the Belvedere. These Hornbeam Avenues, symbols of formal Baroque gardens in Europe, add a touch of grandeur and order, turning every stroll into a scenic experience.
The "Belvedere"
At the heart of the rear park, in a dominant position, stands the Belvedere, a privileged vantage point for admiring the villa and the surrounding garden. Here lies the nymphaeum, the park’s water-themed area, with a colossal statue of a triton at its center. This marine deity, riding a dolphin and holding a conch horn, stands as a striking centerpiece.
In the past, this was a fountain fed by a spring: water would flow from the dolphin’s mouth and cascade into the basin, while the excess water was channeled into an underground cistern.
The Grand Staircase
The historic staircase in Vicenza stone harmoniously connects the various levels of the garden.
At the first terrace, you will find the entrance to the large underground cistern.
The two terraces overlooking the Valletta del Silenzio were once planted with fruit trees. During the warmer months, the fragrant citrus-lined avenues invited pleasant strolls, while in winter, the plants were moved to the greenhouses for protection.
