VILLAS AT FRASCATI 
119 
illustrated on Plate 103. The arrangement of the approach to the casino from the north is clever 
and worthy of special attention. A gentle slope leads from the principal entrance-gateway; this 
is crossed by a central and two side avenues leading to the lowest terrace, whence double ramps 
lead to a kind of hippodrome forming the middle terrace, having a spacious grotto, and continuing, 
lead up to the grand terrace on the north front of the casino. Here are some small fountains 
with boys playfully struggling in a boat-shaped pool. 1 
The garden has during the last century fallen into a state of disrepair, like most of the 
Frascati villas; but we can still see quite enough of its glories to form a good idea of its 
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appearance in the seventeenth century, and the water-theatre remains practically in its original 
condition. 
The Villa Borghese, about a mile to the east of Frascati, was originally known as the 
Villa Taverna. It was given to Pope Paul V. by its owner, Count Ferdinand Taverna, governor 
of Rome. The grounds have been somewhat curtailed in extent, but the disposition of the 
garden remains practically as it is shown in Rossi’s print of the seventeenth century, the approach 
only having been altered. The original entrance-gateway, shown upon Plate 107, is now unused, 
the approach being a very steep one. It is a well-proportioned composition, planned upon a 
central line with the casino. From the front door we look through the house to a small cool 
semicircular courtyard, with flights of steps on either side of a wall-fountain, giving access to 
the higher level of the garden beyond. 
The ‘ giardino segreto ’ occupies an oblong space to the east of the house, and has a central 
octagonal pool, with clipped hedges and seats around. A high terrace and shady walk of tulip- 
trees are on the north side, and the garden is traversed by pergola walks of blue wistaria. Upon 
1 This fountain is engraved in Falda’s Romanorum Fontinalia, Nuremberg 1635, which shows a more comprehensive design. 
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