Some pics from the Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy.
The villa dates from the 16th century.
The villa is impressive, but its Renaissance garden is truly magnificent.
It has inspired many gardens around the world.
The garden is listed under UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Terrace of 100 fountains.
The Villa was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este (1509–1572).
It was built on a site already in use.
The emperor Hadrian built his villa here.
The Este family had been lords of Ferrara since 1393, and were
famous as patrons of the arts. Because of his royal connections, Ippolito became
one of the wealthiest cardinals of the time.
He was a lavish patron of the arts, supporting among others, the sculptor Benvenuto Cellini.
The Oval Fountain in the gardens of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, Rome
In the 16th century, the path to power was the church.
Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este was working towards the goal of pope, but his lavish lifestyle worked against him. In spite of his great wealth, he was always in debt. (Isn't this often the way).
His first candidacy for the papal position, in 1549, with the support of the French King, was blocked by the Habsburg Emperor.
As mentioned earlier, Tivoli had been a popular summer retreat since ancient Roman times due to its altitude, and cooler temperatures.
The Villa Hadriana, which is in the same region, was the summer residence of the Emperor Hadrian I.
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Ephesian Diana Statue, Villa d'Este
The residence has an abundant water supply. Prefect for all its fountains.
The statue above is Diana of Ephesus . She was an ancient goddess of fertility to the people of Ephesus in modern day Turkey.
Diana was “Artemis” to the ancient Greeks.
To the Greeks, Artemis was the goddess of wild animals, the hunt, vegetation, of chastity and of childbirth
Her temple at Ephesus (Temple of Artemis) was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. There is much argument among scholars as to her appendages . Are they breasts?
Some argue they are bull penises
The Neptune fountain and Water Organ in the gardens of the Villa d'Este
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