2 5 8 



THE VILLA LANTE, BAGNAIA. 



long alleys and woodland walks ; spaces where here and there a lovely fountain, covered with 

 green moss, flings its slender silver shaft aloft into the cool shade, and blue and white anemones 

 and rose red cyclamen carpet the ground in spring. Still further beyond, the wide and 

 shadowy woods which lie all round Bagnaia stretch up the spurs of Monte Cimerio. These 

 woods are full of game, and the Duke of Lante enjoys excellent sport in them. 



The fountains have all names : there is the fountain of the Dolphin (Fig. 270) and of the 

 Ducks, the fountain of the Chase and that of the Giants, the Chain Fountain and the Octagon. 

 Some are marked by the insignia of the crab, and others by that of the mountain or by the 

 three eagles of the Lante family. In 1772 Cardinal Marcello Lante made the grand entrance 

 (Fig. 248) and erected a wrought iron gate. 



An enclosure called the Duchess's Garden is, indeed, given up to the ravages of some wild 

 boar, brought from the Pontine marshes ; but, as it is within high walls and has no view, it is 

 not to be regretted. The water was at one time diverted from the fountains by an earthquake, 

 but a supply has now been brought from the hills at great expense, and flows freely in every 

 part. Some of the old rooms which were formerly used for service have been decorated in 

 keeping with the rest of the villa, and the whole presents a wonderfully complete example of 

 an Italian country house, still lived in for the greater part of the year by its owners owners 

 who are the descendants of men who were foremost among the great rulers before the days of 

 the Renaissance. E. M. P. 



271. THE GARDEN LOGGIA OF THE VILLA LANTE. 



