Elements of the Italian Renaissance Garden

The Renaissance period was a rebirth of thought and culture, and had its impact on Italian gardens. The resurging interest in ancient Rome included architecture, mechanics, hydraulics, botany, and natural history. Many of the old texts, maintained in monasteries and centers of learning over the long centuries of the Dark Ages, made the knowledge available. Some elements of Renaissance gardens, summarized from The History of Gardens by Christopher Thacker:

• Renaissance style – the architectural style was characterized by symmetry, proportion, geometry, and the regularity of parts, based on classical Roman principles. These architectural elements were mirrored in garden hardscaping, through terraces, porticoes, columns, arches, and other forms.
• Site selection – the site was used to its best advantage. Sun, light, air, breezes, shade, and views were incorporated in the garden design. Since many villas and their gardens were built on slopes and hills, the garden site could be viewed from outside the property, and the surrounding view and garden could be enjoyed from inside the garden.
• Unified design – the villa and the garden complemented each other, and were designed as a unified whole. Garden frescoes were painted inside the villa, bringing the garden inside; courtyards and terraces became outdoor rooms, extending the villa to the outside.
• Walls and courtyards – coming out of the Medieval period, gardens walls were still used for security and privacy, but with the villa and garden built on a slope, the garden was viewable from within and without the walls. Outside courtyards, often covered with arbors or shade structures, provided a place for exercise, recreation, and outside living.
• Pleasure garden – the garden was meant to be enjoyed, used for strolling, contemplation, retreat, and refuge from the hot Mediterranean sun. This is a marked difference from the “useful” gardens of Medieval times.
• Surprise and fantasy – the garden was meant to be discovered, to surprise and delight its visitors. This might take the form of unexpected views, shady glades, topiary, grottoes, statues, ruins, and arbors. Fountains and waterworks were implemented, often squirting the unsuspecting visitor or emitting the sounds of birds or animals; many of these based on pneumatic designs recorded by Hero of Alexandria (20 – 62 AD).
• Plants and trees – bushes were clipped into fantastical shapes and box hedges clipped into geometric patterns or mazes. Trees were coveted for their shade, including yew and cypress. Fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables were grown, and exotic plants were starting to be imported from other lands.

Look for some of these elements in these photos from the Villa Lante in Bagnaia.


Villa Lante - gardens in Bagnaia.
Photo by Roby Ferrari.

Villa Lante - part of the formal gardens.
Photo by Brookie.