Allegory in Mediterranean Landscapes: Villa d’Este & Villa Adriana

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Allegory in Mediterranean Landscapes: Villa d’Este & Villa Adriana M. Taylan Tosun

Around the Mediterranean, lots of gardens and lanscape elements from different old periods can be seen. Because of its large geography and historical past, Mediterranean lands are very important areas, especially the gardens of villas, palaces. Every period of gardens have their own characteristics about their past with sculptures, figures and ornaments. Beside the aesthetical aspect, story-telling concept is in the foreground. Metaphoric garden design started from ancient periods with symbolizing water elements and channels as heavenly rivers or fruit trees as apples created by God. This idea continued until today.Lots of examples for different civilizations from different periods designed allegorical gardens with metaphore mythological creatures, stories or other ancient legends and myths. Allegories of 16th century Renaissance Italian garden of Villa d’Este and another important garden as 2nd century Ancient Roman garden of Villa Adriana are important instances in Mediterranean lands which have constructed in completely different centuries. Villa d’Este constructed in Tivoli, near Rome in 16th century which known as its excessively fountains in its garden. It set the pace for progress of early European gardens with its architectural components and plan design. It settled on hills to view the lanscape of city easily like other Italian Reanissance Villas. In its huge garden there are level differences with stairs and ramps which affecting the planting scheme. Planting is in an order and divided by pathways at low levels of the garden while some areas at upper levels, thick planting can be seen. So, it is one of the examples of a Reinasseance garden because of a contrast between natural and in order or system concepts. This apparent difference seems in this original plan of Villa d’Este drawn by Etienne Dupérac in 1573. Villa d’Este plan by Etienne Dupérac

Aside planting, the water is the most important element and reason of its fame of the Villa d’Este. Because of its closeness with Aniene River, water tricks quite used. There are lots of basins and fountains on three different levels of the garden which are the Water Organ Fountain, the Neptune Fountain, Dragon Fountain and fish ponds at the lowest part. In addition, all garden oriented with smaller fountains like corridors with 100 and more taps which all watering at the same time or in an order. All of these fountains, basins, fish ponds and other water elements has a meaning and allegory with its ornaments, names, designs or sculptures. So, the landscape narrates with metaphorical elements and references to ancient periods. Cardinal Ippolito who built Villa d’Este in 16th century, wants to have a new Garden of Hesperides which is a legendary ancient Greek garden where Hercules steals the golden apples of immortality from nymphs and a monster who protecting the Garden of Hesperides. 1


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