old Gardens of Italy 1 7 



The only portion of the formal design still 

 remaining is the great cypress viale and the grottos 

 below its termination, and what was once the 

 parterre — now lawn tennis courts. The cypress 

 walk is bordered on either side by a series of stone 

 basins one above another, from which water drops. 

 At the culminating point is a huge grotto, enclosing 

 a statue of Ariosto and a fountain, so usual in 

 schemes of this sort. The lower series of grottoes, 

 in pebbles and stucco, are of exceptionally tasteful 

 design. The remainder of the grounds are laid 

 out in the landscape style, with imitation ruins and 

 little temples. The absurd mock fortifications on 

 the hillside were erected by Countess Calderara, 

 wife of Napoleon's general, Dominique Pino, who, 

 returning home after his triumphs in Spain, was 

 pleasantly surprised to find his victories commemo- 

 rated in this astounding fashion. 



PALAZZO GIOVIO, COMO. 



Now the Museo Civico. A fine old palace built 

 about the middle of the fifteenth century for the 

 Giovio family. It remained in the possession of 

 their descendants till 1894, when it was purchased 

 by the town of Como for a museum. 



The garden is quite a small town garden, but the 

 double stairway leading from the courtyard to the 

 level of the first floor of the palace is beautifully 

 planned, and it has charming gates of wrought iron. 

 It is well worth a visit. 



