Saturday 28 April 2018

Giardini della Villa Comunale


A large glass of good red wine, some excellent bruschetta, and a light lunch on a warm and sunny afternoon. 

A gentle stroll downhill along the Via Bagnoli Croci, and we turn along Via Roma, where the Mediterranean in all it's blue splendour opens up to our left.


The entrance to the public gardens is unassuming, and gives nothing away about what lies inside.

Built on the top of a cliff, it's an area of peace and tranquility, with trees providing some shade from the heat of the day.


The garden is the creation of a Lady Florence Trevelyan, a Scottish noblewoman who, having had an illicit romance with Edward VII, found herself living here. She arrived in 1884, married the mayor, and set about creating these wonderful gardens.


I feel that she was a romantic at heart, as everything within this green space is exquisite. The intricate buildings, one used by her to bird watch, are testament to a feminine mind that had too many exciting ideas to express in the time it took to create them.


In 1922, she left them to the town, where they had to remain a place that was free to enter for anyone who cared to share in them.


We spent a long time here, holding hands and strolling, talking about these gardens and our gardens back home, with new vistas and points of interest around every corner.


Birdsong from the aviary, and the sound of running water from fountains add to the calming effect.


I think that Florence would have enjoyed what has become of it.


We are back at work now, but will hold this place dear to us.




11 comments:

  1. The Brits have a wonderful legacy of garden building abroad. Another beauty that I hadn't heard about.

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    1. We do like our gardens. This was quite an unexpected delight to find.

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  2. Nearly didn't come back John

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  3. That statue at the end made me say, ooohhh. A romantic for sure. I'm glad you two lovebirds were able to visit and enjoy this lovely garden.

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hi Lorraine
      The statue was rather unusual. I thought she looked so content.

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  4. Well..I never did...
    I think l've finally put two and two together! Your Amanda's Hubby! Hubby! :).
    The photos above..and the photo on the sidebar! :).

    I'm no gardener..but love gardens..even B'mth gardens, spent a lot of early years, holding young ladies hands and walking through the park, listening to those 'awful' bands..! HeHe! Bless!

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    1. You've sussed me Willie! I spent a good deal of my youth in Bournemouth gardens, always fond memories.

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  5. Well Gary..I've just spent the last hour, and three cups of lemon tea, ploughing through your Blog..is it o.k. to say 'ploughing'..HeHe! Brilliant! Everything comes together so well, and so educational, and, if you keep writing and showing photos of Giardini..I'm up for it! Thanks! :).
    Oh! And l see my main man in the Moto GP..Valentino Rossi..I've got a few more links to watch down the sidebar..but, l'll get there!
    And orchids..love orchids..though my most favourite flower is..(no laughing)..Pansies! "Nuff Said". :).

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    1. Pansies (no laughing)....Willie, are you telling me that you are gay? Well I never!!!

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    2. HaHa! No 'NOT' gay....just very happy!!! :0).

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