Tivoli, Italy

The Villa d’Este is a villa situated at Tivoli, east of Rome. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, it is a masterpiece of Italian architecture and especially Garden design.

The garden plan is laid out on a central axis with subsidiary cross-axes of carefully varied character, refreshed by some five hundred jets in fountains, pools and water troughs. The copious water is supplied by the Aniene, which is partly diverted through the town, a distance of a kilometer, and by the Rivellese spring, which supplies a cistern under the villa’s courtyard.
The Villa’s uppermost terrace ends in a balcony at the left end, with a sweeping view over the plain below. Symmetrical double flights of stairs flanking the central axis lead to the next garden terrace, with the Grotto of Diana, richly decorated with frescoes and pebble mosaic to one side and the central Fontana Del Bicchierone (“Fountain of the Great Cup”) loosely attributed to Bernini, where water issues from a seemingly natural rock into a scrolling shell-like cup.

from the top of the fountain of Neptune

Inventor and constructor of Villa D’Este was Ippolito II d’Este cardinal of Ferrara, son of the famous Lucrezia Borgia. He was the 2nd son in this wealthy family. The first son would inherit the family fortune, business, etc. The 2nd son would often times be appointed as a cardinal. At the time there were 6 cardinal and from this group, the next Pope would be chosen. In this way a family could give the son a chance to become Pope and bring honor to himself and power to the family.

Apparently at this point, moral character was not a quality needed to become Pope. The Villa became famous for masquerade balls and parties. All the wealthy of Europe would come for the wild drunken parties and used the disguises an an excuse for free love. The Cardinal never made it to Papacy, but the the incredible Villa is still worth a visit.

Following our tour of Villa D’este we had a a special treat. A wonderful meal at Ristorante Sibilla.
Leone XII, Federico Gugliemo II Prussian king, Gabriele D’annunzio, Pietro Mascagni,
Hiroito the Japan’s Imperator, Margaret princes of UK , Yoko Ono and Neal Amstrong have all enjoyed meals here in the past. Recently things had been quiet, until we showed up.

We had an incredible meal with the freshest fruits, incredible pasta, and a choice of meat and vegetable prepared over an open fire. The wine was unbelievable and the service was perfection. It was a magical day that you remember forever.

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