380 
THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 
4<^4‘ — kack facade of the villa cambiaso showing the 
UPPER LOGGIA. 
Frotv Gauthier. 
is about fifteen yards wide, 
opens from a square fore- 
court, defined by balustrades 
with recesses for seats. Solid 
masses of the yew fill in the 
intervals between these seat 
recesses and strengthen h y 
their depth of colour the lines 
of the enclosure. The cactus 
flourishes in the vases on the 
pedestals, and two great palm 
trees give emphasis to the 
garden scheme, calling 
attention to the distri- 
bution of the fa9ade in two 
wings and a centre. A feature 
of the plan is two long, 
enclosed gardens parallel to 
the main vista, one of which ends in a raised belvedere or platform contrived over a coach- 
house on the road level below. This platform, paved with large tiles, commands an 
attractive view both over the property and its widespread surroundings of hillside and sea. 
For the remainder of the site the gardens have been replanted as an “ English garden.” 
The distinguishing feature of the house is the fine triple-arched and Doric-columned 
loggia, approached by a well laid out double flight of steps, which the direct elevation 
of our view (Fig. 402) does not show. The features of the palace are large and bold, 
calculated to be seen at the considerable distances from which the villa is visible. At the 
back of rile house the fafade (Fig. 404) is deeply recessed in the centre at the level 
of the principal upper floor, and a noble arcaded loggia (Fig. 406) is formed here com- 
manding the mountain view. The plan (Fig. 403) is remarkable for its simple and effective 
distribution. 
The Villa Paradiso, situated on the hillside leading up to St. Francesco d’Albaro, is 
approached by a dozen steps just within a gateway on the main road. Access is thus 
obtained to a long, sloping way rising about one in eleven and enclosed by balus- 
traded walls some nine feet 
high (Fig. 408). The balus- 
ters are about seven feet 
high and are built up of 
brick and plastered, and the 
sunlight pouring through the 
long slits in this quaint wall 
makes an approach of singular 
interest. Orange and lemon 
trees are planted on either side 
of the central path, which is 
two yards wide. The total 
width between walls is just 
over four yards. This ascent 
ends in an excavated plateau, 
on which the oblong - shaped 
villa stands. 
The illustration (Fig. 407) 
- - shows one end with its fine 
405. — SECTION OF THE VILLA CAMBIASO SHOWING UPPER .AND arcade of six arches; the longer 
LOWER LOGGIAS. front has two arched bays. 
