VILLA FALCONIERI 



The steep rough lane, or rather bed of mountain torrent, which skirts 

 the Villa Lancellotti winds upward between terraces of corn and vine and 

 olive to the Villa Falconieri, 



The first indication of the villa is a handsome gateway on the left, 

 wrongly attributed to Vignola. This is in a showy, decadent style, and 

 its authorship may be left to the decision of others. Though standing 

 invitingly open, the gateway now leads only to the podere. No great 

 distance beyond is reached the cancello of the villa, a plain modern gate- 

 way. Across a meadow sprinkled with many gay-coloured flowers lies the 

 entrance to the garden. 



Leaving the casino out of consideration, this gateway is the only 

 remaining architectural feature that possesses any special merit. It is 

 well proportioned, eminently adapted to its position, and was probably 

 designed by Fontana. Flanking an archway, with Ionic pilasters 

 supporting an ornate and somewhat unusual pediment, are lower walls 

 with niches, shell ornament, and grotesque statues, and outside these are 

 piers supporting other statues of buffoons. Scrollwork and ball-ornaments 

 lead ofFto the general wall level. Crowning the pediment appear richly- 

 carved vases and a seated lion. Over the arch a label is inserted bearing 

 the inscription , 



HORATIVS FALCONERIVS, 



and among the carving appears a falcon displayed^ the arms of the 

 Falconieri. Rustication is freely used in this gateway, which is carried 

 out in warm travertine stone that has weathered to an exceedingly 



49 G 



