Old Gardens of Italy 167 



THE VILLAS AT BAGHERIA, NEAR 

 PALERMO. 



TEN miles by train from Palermo. There are three 

 villas here, which formerly had laid out grounds, 

 and are interesting architecturally as they have a 

 certain local individuality. The accompanying 

 illustration of Villa Valguarnera shows the very- 

 original circular forecourt. Old plans and engrav- 

 ings of villas and gardens may be seen at the 

 Museum at Palermo, where the writer received the 

 greatest courtesy and help in the research she 

 carried out there. 



The villas at Bagheria are all near together, so 

 can be visited in one day, and though the grounds 

 of none are worth seeing in their present ruinous 

 state, yet the beautiful outer stairway of the garden 

 entrance of Villa Palagonia, the circular forecourt 

 of Villa Valguarnera, the elevation of the house 

 on that side, and the drive by which it is approached, 

 with its arcaded gateways, merit attention. 



The Villa Palagonia has a court with enclosing 

 wall and gateways surmounted by grotesque figures, 

 and the entrance gates to the villas are decorated 

 with hideous and colossal statues in the worst 

 Baroque style. These villas may be seen at any 

 time, and without special permission. 



