Garden of Ninfa

Last updated
The castle and a river. Castello di ninfa e giardino.jpg
The castle and a river.

The Garden of Ninfa is a garden in the territory of Cisterna di Latina, in the province of Latina, central Italy. The park has an area of 105 hectares (260 acres), and is an Italian natural monument. [1] [2] The landscape garden within the park comprises 8 hectares (20 acres) and contains medieval ruins, several oaks, cypresses and poplars, grassy meadows, a wide range of exotic plants from various parts of the world, numerous watercourses and a large variety of rambling roses growing over the stone walls of the ruins. The site is run by the Italian foundation Fondazione Roffredo Caetani. It is open to the public at set times from April to November. Nearby towns include Norma and Sermoneta. Ninfa has been described as "the most romantic garden in the world".

Contents

History

View from the lake Ninfa 6.jpg
View from the lake

The garden includes the ruins of the ancient settlement of Ninfa, whose name seems to derive from a classical era nymphaeum, a temple dedicated to nymphs, located on an island in the small lake; nymphs were believed to dwell in mountains and groves, by springs and rivers, and also in trees and in valleys and cool grottoes. [3] According to Charles Quest-Ritson's book Ninfa: The Most Romantic Garden in the World, the Gardens of Ninfa's first documented evidence is from Pliny the Younger, who described a temple on the premises dedicated to water nymphs. [4]

The village already existed in the Roman era as a small village in an agricultural area. [5] It was perhaps founded by the Volscians at the feet of the Monti Lepini. In the Middle Ages it was a rich town on the Appian Way. In 1159, Pope Alexander III was crowned there. In 1171 the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa sacked and burned it, after the Pope, his enemy, had taken refuge in the town. [6]

View of the park Ninfa 4.jpg
View of the park

During the Middle Ages Ninfa had more than 150 houses, several churches, mills, bridges, two hospices, a castle and a town hall. The town was encircled by a defensive wall 1,400 metres (1,500 yd) in length with guard towers. [7]

The castle was built in the 12th century, located near the lake, outside the city walls. Santa Maria Maggiore was the town's primary church [8] and was most likely built from the 10th century and widened in the first half of the 12th century.

The Church of Saint John is dated around the 11th century and is now in ruins. The original structure most likely had a single nave with several lateral chapels and a semicircular apse, of which parts remain. Some traces of frescoes are still visible on the walls of the ruins. [6]

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore: ruins with traces of frescoes Giardino di Ninfa 38.jpg
Church of Santa Maria Maggiore: ruins with traces of frescoes

In the 16th century Ninfa was repopulated by its inhabitants, under the seigniory of the Caetani. Cardinal Nicolò III Caetani ordered the architect Francesco Perugino to build a garden in the area of Ninfa, but this garden fell into decay soon after the Cardinal's death in 1585. During the 17th century it was gradually deserted [8] due to the expansion of the surrounding marshes and the arrival of malaria.

By the 18th century the last mill was abandoned. In 1765 the town hall was transformed into a barn by Francesco, Duke of Sermoneta, and, at the same time, Pope Pius VI started a reclamation of the marshes, but the project was abandoned. The garden at Ninfa and its surroundings were a neglected part of the domain of the Caetani family until the 20th century, when the estate was renovated and the garden was transformed. The administration of the garden was left to a nonprofit foundation by Lelia Caetani and her husband, Hubert Howard, the last owners. Ownership of the garden was transferred to the Roffredo Caetani Foundation, named after the father of Lelia Caetani-Howard, which continues to manage the garden. [9] [10] [11]

Garden

The bridge Il ponticello.JPG
The bridge

The garden was created by Gelasio Caetani beginning in 1921, in the English garden style. [8] Caetani was the son of Lady Constance Adela (Ada) Bootle-Wilbraham and Onorato Caetani, Duke of Sermoneta. [12] He restored some of the buildings of the medieval town of Ninfa, especially the tower and the town hall, as a summer residence. At the same time, under the guidance of Ada Bootle-Wilbraham, who had already created a garden at Lake Fogliano, he began to plant different plant species that he brought home from his travels abroad. The plants thrived due to the favourable climate: the microclimate is very humid because of frequent rains and the river Ninfa.

Quest-Ritson's description of the site:

The garden at Ninfa has a unique setting: the ruins of a medieval town near Rome. The site is one of sublime romantic beauty, where time seems to stand still. The garden has achieved cult status among the English and American gardening cognoscenti.

The garden has been called the world's most romantic garden, [7] [13] also because of its location: it is "a romantic oasis of fertility in the midst of the heavily-industrialised Pontine Plain to the South East of Rome". [14]

The river Ninfa Giardino di Ninfa 85.jpg
The river Ninfa

The garden is crossed by numerous small springs as well as the river Ninfa, which flows south of the garden. Restoration of the garden involved importing plant species from all over the world. [15] There are over a thousand varieties of plants and trees, such as American walnuts, several ornamental apples, yuccas, Cotinus coggygria , catalpa, cedar trees and many rose bushes, including multicoloured Rosa x odorata 'Mutabilis', the early yellow Rosa hugonis, and the pale pink 'Complicata'. Cultivars grown include the white 'Iceberg', red 'Max Graf', and the following hybrid musk roses: the cream coloured 'Penelope', pink 'Ballerina' and buff coloured 'Buff Beauty'. Many climbing roses are also grown in the garden, including Rosa banksiae , Rosa bracteata , Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate' , known for its vigor and beautiful foliage, the white Rosa 'Mme. Alfred Carriére' and the apricot climbing rose 'Gloire de Dijon'.

The most beautiful garden in the world, Giardini di Ninfa (English subtitles)

Along the main avenue are cypresses, weeping cherry trees, Himalayan pine, banana trees, Mexican pine and lavender. The rock garden contains Iberis , Eschscholzia , Veronica, golden alyssum ( Alyssum saxatile ), Aquilegia , Dianthus and pomegranates. Purple flowered Clematis armandii , climbing hydrangea ( Hydrangea petiolaris ), and poplars grow near the bridge; along the river there are groves of hazelnut trees, Acer saccharinum and Liriodendron tulipifera . [16] Near the bridges are maples, poplars, Photinia serrulata , Gunnera manicata , papyrus, Casuarina tenuissima , jasmine, climbing hydrangea, purple flowered Clematis armandii , wisteria, Liriodendron tulipifera , cedars, wattle and a clump of bamboo from China. Magnolia stellata grows in front of the castle.

The garden can be visited only with a guide, following a prescribed route. [17]

Fauna

Ninfa is located on a major flyway of birds migrating from Africa to Europe. The garden, the river and the lake house a rich variety of fauna, including the brown trout, the Mediterranean trout, Salmo cettii , and 152 species of birds. In 1976, under the auspices of the World Wildlife Fund, approximately 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) within the garden were set aside as a wildlife sanctuary, [18] with brush plantings and wetland creation to encourage birds to nest, and 15 hectares (37 acres) of reestablished native vegetation. Teals, mallards, gadwalls, herons, lapwings and some raptors have since been observed there. [18]

Infrastructure

The garden is located 64km southeast of Rome. It may be reached by regional and Intercity trains from Roma Termini, calling at the station "Latina scalo". From there it is approximately 7km to the garden, which may be done by taxi in 10 minutes. Alternatively, the garden is connected to Rome by the S.S. 148 street.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cisterna di Latina</span> Comune in Lazio, Italy

Cisterna di Latina is a town and comune in the province of Latina in Lazio, of central Italy. It was the scene of the Battle of Cisterna in January 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caetani</span> Italian noble family

The House of Caetani, or Gaetani, is the name of an Italian noble family, originally from the city of Gaeta, connected by some to the lineage of the lords of the Duchy of Gaeta, as well as to the patrician Gaetani of the Republic of Pisa. It played an important role in Rome, in the Papal States and in the Kingdom of Naples, and later in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sermoneta</span> Comune in Lazio, Italy

Sermoneta is a hill town and comune in the province of Latina (Lazio), central Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orto Botanico di Firenze</span>

The Orto Botanico di Firenze, also known as the Giardino dei Semplici, the "Garden of simples", is a botanical garden maintained by the University of Florence. It is located at Via Micheli, 3, Florence, Italy, and open weekday mornings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta</span> Italian painter

Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta began his career as an Italian Mannerist painter but later adopted the reformist naturalism of Girolamo Muziano in the 1560s and 70s. He was active in Rome in the mid 16th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palazzo Giusti</span> Palace and garden in Verona, Italy

The Giusti Palace and Garden are located in the east of Verona, Italy, a short distance from Piazza Isolo and near the city centre. The palace was built in the sixteenth century. The garden is considered one of the finest examples of an Italian garden.

<i>Rosa</i> Double Delight Red and white hybrid tea rose

Rosa'Double Delight',, is a multiple award-winning, red blend hybrid tea rose cultivar bred in the United States by Swim & Ellis and introduced in 1977. Its parents were two hybrid tea cultivars, the red and yellow 'Granada' and the ivory 'Garden Party'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flora of Italy</span> Plant species of Italy

The flora of Italy is all the plant life present in the territory of the Italian Republic. The flora of Italy was traditionally estimated to comprise about 5,500 vascular plant species. However, as of 2019, 7,672 species are recorded in the second edition of the flora of Italy and in its digital archives Digital flora of Italy. In particular, 7,031 are autochthonous and 641 are non native species widely naturalized since more than three decades. Additionally, further 468 exotic species have been recorded as adventitious or naturalized in more recent times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bardini Gardens</span> Italian Renaissance garden in Oltrarno, Florence, Italy

The Giardino Bardini is an Italian Renaissance garden of the Villa Bardini in the hilly part of Oltrarno, offering fine views of Florence, Italy. Opened only recently to the public, it is one of Florence's well kept secrets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Italian Renaissance garden</span> 15th century garden style

The Italian Renaissance garden was a new style of garden which emerged in the late 15th century at villas in Rome and Florence, inspired by classical ideals of order and beauty, and intended for the pleasure of the view of the garden and the landscape beyond, for contemplation, and for the enjoyment of the sights, sounds and smells of the garden itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valvisciolo Abbey</span>

Valvisciolo Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in the province of Latina, central Italy, near the towns of Sermoneta and Ninfa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garden roses</span> Ornamental roses

Garden roses are predominantly hybrid roses that are grown as ornamental plants in private or public gardens. They are one of the most popular and widely cultivated groups of flowering plants, especially in temperate climates. An enormous number of garden cultivars have been produced, especially over the last two centuries, though roses have been known in the garden for millennia beforehand. While most garden roses are grown for their flowers, often in dedicated rose gardens, some are also valued for other reasons, such as having ornamental fruit, providing ground cover, or for hedging.

Sveva Caetani, was an Italian-Canadian artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gelasio Caetani</span> Italian diplomat (1877–1934)

Gelasio Caetani was an Italian nobleman and diplomat from the princely Caetani family who rose to fame during the First World War as an army officer and mining engineer.

Hubert John Edward Dominic Howard was an English intelligence officer who lived in Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marguerite Caetani</span>

Marguerite Gilbert Caetani, Princess of Bassiano, Duchess of Sermoneta, was an American-born publisher, journalist, art collector, and patron of the arts. She married an Italian aristocrat and became the founder and director of the literary journals Commerce and Botteghe Oscure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torrecchia Vecchia</span>

Torrecchia Vecchia is a private estate of over 1500 acres located in Cisterna di Latina, Lazio, Italy, which may be visited by permission. It contains over 625 acres of woodland, was recognized as a Natural Monument in 2007, and contains notable English-style gardens designed by Lauro Marchetti, Dan Pearson, and others.

References

  1. "Giardini di Ninfa: Monumento naturale Giardino di Ninfa - Oasi Affiliata" (in Italian). World Wildlife Fund. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  2. Matheus, Michael (2023-01-23). "Ninfa: The Pompeii of the Middle Ages" . Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  3. Atsma, Aaron (2000–2011). "Nymphai". Theoi..com. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  4. Quest-Ritson 12-26.
  5. "L'antica Città di Ninfa - Cisterna di Latina" (in Italian). Lazionascosco.it. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  6. 1 2 "La storia di Ninfa nel medioevo" (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  7. 1 2 Randall, Frederika (16 June 2002). "Day Trip: A Secret Garden". The New York Times . p. 8. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 Facaros, Dana; Pauls, Michael (2003), Central Italy, New Holland Publishers, p. 239, ISBN   978-1-86011-112-9
  9. "Gardens of Ninfa". Italy Heaven. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  10. "Garden of Ninfa". Fondazione Roffredo Caetani Onlus. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  11. Quest-Ritson 61-78.
  12. Quest-Ritson 36-48.
  13. Quest-Ritson 10.
  14. Walsh, Isobel (23 August 2006). "The Garden of Ninfa, Italy". Country Life . Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  15. Gnoli 281302.
  16. "Giardini" (in Italian). Fondazione Roffredo Caetani. Archived from the original on 2 April 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  17. Pasquali, Luca. "The Gardens of Ninfa". Life in Italy. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Oasi di Ninfa", Fondazione Roffredo Caetani, archived at the Wayback Machine, 26 May 2010 (in Italian)

Bibliography

Further reading

41°34′56″N12°57′19″E / 41.58222°N 12.95528°E / 41.58222; 12.95528