96 Old Gardens of Italy 



statuary or tanks of water. They all radiate from 

 a point in the centre between the two houses. 



Immediately on entering the garden proper, one 

 sees that its parterre occupies the very summit of 

 the hill. Below the parterre it descends by a 

 charming stone stairway to a terrace en pente and 

 ends at a pool and balustraded retaining wall whence 

 there is a wide outlook to the valley below and hills 

 beyond. A series of ramps descend on each side, 

 under trees, from the casino to the lower ground, 

 with shady walks, fountains, and statuary. The 

 garden, though quite neglected, is one of the most 

 interesting and naturally beautiful the writer has 

 ever seen. 



VILLA VICOBELLO, SIENA. 



ASCRIBED to the famous architect, Peruzzi (Bal- 

 dassare, 1481-1537). About three miles from 

 Siena. The property of the Marchese Chigi. 

 Permesso at the Chigi Palace, Siena. 



This is one of the very few old Italian gardens 

 which is well kept. It has an oblong lemon garden 

 with picturesque summer-house at one end and the 

 house at the other. The stanzone and the back of 

 the outbuildings border the whole of one side, and 

 a clipped ilex hedge the other. In the centre of the 

 latter there is a gateway (facing one opening into 

 the courtyard) and steps lead down to another ter- 

 race garden, laid out in formal style as an orchard, 

 with pools and box borders. The scheme is an 



