[HE most complete example of the Italian 

 villa that is, the one best preserving its 

 original form is the Villa Lante, at Bag- 

 nia, not far from Viterbo. This, like all the great vil- 

 las, was the work of several designers carried through 

 the lives of several owners, but the most important 

 part was from the designs of Vignola, and sufficient- 

 ly completed in his lifetime to give his stamp to 

 the whole. While a considerable part of the park has 

 been allowed to go to decay, the house and gardens 

 and all that part of the design known as the " villa " 

 have been kept up, and probably to-day present a bet- 

 ter idea of the Renaissance garden than does any 

 other in Italy. 



The flower-garden of the Villa Lante is southwest 

 from the house, or rather houses, there being two, one 

 for domestic purposes and the other for entertain- 

 ments. These are at eithef end of the terrace which 

 overlooks the garden. The principal street of the 



13 



