32 



THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN IN ITALY 



fountain basin, and on either side figures representing rivers, whence issue the waters, which, forming 

 a cascade, descend to the lower level. A double ramp ascends from this oval court to the parterres 

 in front of the casino, an oblong terrace entirely surrounded by gaunt fantastic figures with vases 

 upon their heads, somewhat coarse in detail, but now softened down by the mellowing hand of 

 time. At the rear of the casino is a well-arranged flower garden where the sloping nature of the 

 site is cleverly utilised.^ Vignola's other garden architectural works included fountains and stair- 

 ways to the Borromean Palace at Rome, an oval grotto at the Villa Borghese, Rome, and a 

 charming raised amphitheatre which still exists at the Villa Mondragone, Frascati. 



The Villa Papa Giulio, which was commenced about 1550, is one of the most pleasing 

 country villas to be found in Italy. The building of this palace and the laying out of its gardens 



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THB VILLA PAPA GIULIO , ROME . 



were the daily occupation of Pope Julius III., who took the greatest interest in all that was done, 

 and is himself supposed to have often taken an active part in the design of his charming country 

 villa, which is situated just outside the wall of Rome, near to the Porta del Popolo. It is the 

 joint product of Vignola and Ammanati''; the former most probably designed the casino; the 

 latter the courtyards and architectural screen between the grotto and the gardens. His name is 

 on a pillar at the entrance to the grotto. Entering underneath a fine archway, we come to an 

 oblong court bounded upon one side by Vignola' s charming semicircular open loggia, painted 



1 For complete plans of Caprarola see Lebas et Debret, CEuvres compVctes de Vignole, Paris, 1815. 



= Besides this palace, Ammanati was also responsible for the design of the great ducal palace at Lucca. 



