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THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 
descending into a hollowed-out, moat-like channel, from which the land slopes up on the 
opposite side. The grounds are, therefore, absolutely isolated and unapproachable, and can 
only be entered from the castle and by one other gate. In the Cardinal’s time the woods 
at the back were full of deer, wild boar and game, and miniature hunting parties often took 
place. 
The splendour of Caprarola was short, and for more than a hundred and fifty years now it 
has been practically untenanted. In the days of Cardinal Alessandro and his successor, 
Odoardo, great state was kept. In 1596 there was a theatre in the garden, and Liberati’s play, 
“ Gli Intrighi d’ Aniore,” was acted here. After Odoardo’s death the ducal seat was moved to 
Parma, and by 1650 much of the beautiful furniture had been taken there too. The male line 
became extinct in January, 1731, with Antonio Farnese, Duke of Parma, and Caprarola was left 
as dowry to his niece Iflizabeth, who had married Philip V, King of Spain and Naples. By 
command of these monarchs, the whole palace was put into thorough order, the doors and 
windows repaired, and the roof entirely renewed and supplied, at great expense, with lead 
conduits. This accounts in great measure for the good condition in which the palace remains. 
The Queen conceded its use to Cardinal Acquaviva, Archbishop of Monreale, Protector of the 
Two Sicilies, and in Rome the vigilant Minister of His Majesty the King of Naples. Acquaviva 
also did a good deal in the way of restoration, mending stucco ornamentation, retouching and 
protecting the decaying frescoes, and, moreover, he refurnished the whole in a style which 
the somewhat fulsome Sebastian! pronounces to be “ worthy of his great soul.” He entertained 
continually summer parties of princes, clerics and nobility, in what, to quote our chronicler 
once more, “ was esteemed the most artistic, commodious, and best decorated palace in the 
whole world.” It still belongs to the ruined Bourbon family. 
Many are the noble guests who have been entertained at Caprarola. San Carlo Borrommeo 
sta^^ed here for a few days in 15S0. It was on that occasion that he made the speech to the 
Cardinal which is related in connection with the Villa Lante ; but even he was penetrated 
with the loveliness of Caprarola, and said to his host, ” What must Paradise be like ! ” 
Gregory XIII was the guest of Cardinal Alessandro in 1585. His attendant cardinals were 
lodged in the rooms over the stable, from which a special passage was made, communicating 
with the main building. The Chief Magistrate and all the citizens were at the gates to 
present the keys and to pay their homage to the Vicar of Christ, who in return presented the 
silver cross borne by his cross-bearer and a noble chalice to the cathedral, where they are still 
preserved, besides which he blessed the town and its inhabitants from the palace windows and 
enriched them with copious Indulgences. Among the attractions of the stately pageant was a 
procession of a hundred maidens, dressed in white, carrying olive branches and clashing cymbals. 
Cardinal Odoardo was the host of Clement VIII, and Sebastian! gives a further account of a visit 
paid by Queen Christina of Sweden in December, 1655, when she stopped at Caprarola, with 
a splendid suite, on her way to Bracciano, and was magnificently entertained by Duke Ranuccio. 
A feast and fireworks were given in her honour, she was shown all over the palace, and 
remarked of the Sala di Mappamondo that it deserved to be kept under a glass case. Gazing 
from the windows of the Hall of Hercules, lost in wonder at the beauty of the prospect, she 
exclaimed, “ I dare not speak the name of Jesus, lest I should break the spell.” 
The Anno Santo 1700 saw the flying visit of the reigning Duke, Antonio, Prince of Parma, 
the last direct descendant of the great Farnese House. His vassals, who scarcely knew him by 
sight, assembled to greet him, wild with delight and loyalty. He was moved to tears, made a 
touching speech, and went his way, to be seen no more at Caprarola. 
d'he exiled James Stuart was welcomed royally by Duke Francesco in 1714, and as the 
Duke took leave of ” His Majesty, the King of England,” he declared that the palace had 
acquired fresh lustre from his august presence. In October, 1739, Kasimir Vasa, Prince of 
Poland, and the Elector of Saxonv, paid a visit incognito to Cardinal Acquaviva, and were 
shown the castle, where a choice assemblage of saz'ants and Jesuits had come to meet them. 
One of the last notable guests was Prince Charles Edward, the Pretender, who was a visitor in 
1740, and Sebastian!, who mentions his coming, was overpowered at the honour of being 
allowed to house some of the Prince’s suite. 
