History
After travelling through the vast fields and orchards of Romagna it is a surprise to be confronted suddenly by a jewel, the very refined small eighteenth century garden of Villa Pasolini dall'Onda, which is not aligned with the axis of the severe façade of the fortified aristocratic dwelling. The box hedges, trimmed into geometric shapes, form an embroidery and the contrast with the countryside suggests magic.
The property, surrounding the country villa, has grown over the years around the fifteenth century fortified residence, which was decorated in the eighteenth century and can still be admired. It includes woodland and the agricultural estate, already active in the eighteenth century in the production of fruit and fine wines.
The Pasolini dall'Onda family has undertaken the restoration of the buildings as well as the extension of the garden, with plant introduc- tions in tune with the tastes of the different periods. Maria Pasolini Ponti, a scholar of Italian garden history, created a parterre of old, modern and ''Bengal'' roses at the end of the nineteenth century. Children and grandchildren have since built up a collection of lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia, L. officinalis, L. vera, L. spica and others), which form a scented cushion between the villa and the countryside. Many great historic gardens are by now islands of bygone times, cultural heritages out of context with the areas in which they stand.
This property however has remained intact and shows how productive countryside and pleasure gardens can be integrated. It is not surprising that the custodians of this miracle are the Pasolini dall'Onda heirs Niccolò and Desideria, founders of the association of historic dwellings (Dimore Storiche) and of Italia Nostra.
