9 July 2015
Summer discovering of Great Italian Gardens!
Dear readers,
if you are driving through Piedmont get off the highway and make your way to Acqui Terme. This garden sits on the top of a hill surrounded by a vineyard. It was the countryhome of an aristocratic couple that in the twenties attracted the finest sculptors in europe. For them they even built a fantastic out- house, where Arturo Martini lived and worked for many years. Herta Von Wedekind zur Horst and her husband Astolfo Ottolenghi asked Marcello Piacentini to build a Villa with every possible luxury of the time. Beautiful wrought iron details reflect the ‘arts and crafts' movement. Don't miss her studio which has a magnificent view over the countryside. In the 50's Pietro Porcinai, one of the most important Italian garden designers, added on a superb garden, connecting the different parts of the property with simplicity and style. The current owner bought it from the local bank. He had no idea of what it ment to run such a property. He has put together a young and creative team that are bringing it all back to life. At the moment they have a jazz festival on. Nothing like jazzing it up for a summer evening with excellent wine.
If in Florence (poor things what with the high temperatures) get up to the hills in Fiesole and search for Villa Peyron. It is in the middle of the Woods, which means it will be cool. It is an Italian garden, well kept by Saverio Lastrucci, a local architect that knew the last owner, and so tries to keep up the parterres and shaded walks for the benefit of overheated visitors like us. Round the corner you can have a good meal at the Trattoria Cave di Maiano. Finocchiona (the local salami with fennel seeds) is served on stone tables under a vine. Some things just don't go out in fashion in Italy!
Check out the events that are organized this week.
This weekend I'm travelling round from garden to garden... who knows we might even meet up!
Judith Wade
if you are driving through Piedmont get off the highway and make your way to Acqui Terme. This garden sits on the top of a hill surrounded by a vineyard. It was the countryhome of an aristocratic couple that in the twenties attracted the finest sculptors in europe. For them they even built a fantastic out- house, where Arturo Martini lived and worked for many years. Herta Von Wedekind zur Horst and her husband Astolfo Ottolenghi asked Marcello Piacentini to build a Villa with every possible luxury of the time. Beautiful wrought iron details reflect the ‘arts and crafts' movement. Don't miss her studio which has a magnificent view over the countryside. In the 50's Pietro Porcinai, one of the most important Italian garden designers, added on a superb garden, connecting the different parts of the property with simplicity and style. The current owner bought it from the local bank. He had no idea of what it ment to run such a property. He has put together a young and creative team that are bringing it all back to life. At the moment they have a jazz festival on. Nothing like jazzing it up for a summer evening with excellent wine.
If in Florence (poor things what with the high temperatures) get up to the hills in Fiesole and search for Villa Peyron. It is in the middle of the Woods, which means it will be cool. It is an Italian garden, well kept by Saverio Lastrucci, a local architect that knew the last owner, and so tries to keep up the parterres and shaded walks for the benefit of overheated visitors like us. Round the corner you can have a good meal at the Trattoria Cave di Maiano. Finocchiona (the local salami with fennel seeds) is served on stone tables under a vine. Some things just don't go out in fashion in Italy!
Check out the events that are organized this week.
This weekend I'm travelling round from garden to garden... who knows we might even meet up!
Judith Wade
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On the blue summer evenings, I shall go down the paths, getting pricked by the corn, crushing the short grass: in a dream I shall feel its coolness on my feet.- Jean Nicolas Arthut Rimbaud - |
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