3 6 



THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 



The interior feature of the house is a lofty oblong hall lit by three great lunettes, running 

 below which is a frieze by Thorwaldsen of 1812. Other sculptures, of which Canova's "Amor 

 and Psyche " attracts most attention, make up a somewhat cold interior. 



Balbianello is undoubtedly the gem of Lake Como. The villa has been declared as a 

 " National Monument," and is thus protected against alteration without depriving the owners 

 of its possession. The whole peninsula, or " Punta di Balbianello," which juts out into the 

 lake, is crowned by the villa buildings, which step up in three tiers from the point immersed in 

 the water (Fig. 375). A little harbour, protected by a stone jetty, receives the boat, which is the 

 sole means of access, and a striking stairway rising sharply up the flank of the cliff leads the visitor 

 up to a level plateau, where the little church of the original Franciscan convent stands. This 

 is the second level of the villa buildings. A small courtyard, ten yards wide, is formed by the 

 flank of the church and that of the main block of the house. A passageway through the 

 connecting wing, between church and house, leads round to a level platform facing the upper half 



379. THE CYPRESS AVENUE OF SAN GIOVANNI, LAKE COMO. 



of the lake. These levels, irregular in outline, are built up from the rocky base and closed in by 

 a delightful balustrade of stucco duro (Fig. 378). Seated boys pull at cords, which are attached 

 to shields bearing the monogram of the family. Passing round and keeping still upwards the 

 topmost level is crowned by a notable casino, approached by a double stairway. The centre, 

 about twelve yards long by ten yards wide, is an open arcaded and vaulted loggia, connecting 

 a library and a billiard-room on either side (Fig. 375). From this vantage point the views both 

 ways of the lake are of surpassing beauty. It would be impossible to improve upon the disposition 

 of these buildings. The great attraction of the villa lies in its fine adaptation to the site. The 

 level lines of the architecture harmonise by contrast with the natural outline. The hard- won 

 plateaux seem to have become part of the rocky site. The whole basis is natural rock skilfully 

 utilised and contrasted with rich'sculptural detail and solid and simple architectural masses. 

 Beyond the peninsula the cliff continues to rise as a wild park or miniature forest of trees, 

 through which paths are traced out. 



