4© Old Gardens of Italy 



hill-side behind the villa, and, turning, up a series 

 of huge grassy steps bordered by trees forming a 

 pendant to it on the opposite hill-side. 



Within this great square, and parallel with its 

 lines, are magnificent pleached alleys, the finest I 

 have seen in any garden, and passing along them, 

 and then between clipped hedges the visitor finds 

 himself in a square compartment given up to a 

 maze, the well-trimmed divisions of which are kept 

 cut at the top to so even a surface that from the 

 commanding outlook in the centre the whole plan is 

 as clear as a print in a book of designs. Another 

 compartment contains a large circular pond, in the 

 middle of which is an island devoted to a colony 

 of rabbits. Judging by the statues of stone rabbits 

 round the edge, this appears to have been con- 

 structed for the purpose for which it is still used. 



The steps from the house to the villa are pierced 

 with many secret fountains, and others rise at the 

 side of the central walk. 



The Hotel delle Terme, at Battaglia, forms good 

 headquarters from which to visit this beautiful gar- 

 den, and also the chateau of Cattaio, but the latter 

 retains no trace of the old garden. 



PALACE OF STRA, ON THE BRENTA 

 CANAL. 



Also known as the Villa Pisani. Built about 1 740 

 for the Pisani family, of Verona, by Count 



