The Garzoni Garden

The Historic Garzoni Garden together with the Villa make an ensemble recognized as a national monument; it is a splendid example of a baroque garden, built in 1600, that was revived with new furnishings in the following century, until in 2007 reached its maximum splendor thanks to a total restoration. It climbs up the hill, full of statues and water features. You can breathe a French harmony thanks to its flower beds representing mythological figures and two large circular tanks. From the first terrace, the elegant double ramp stairs lead to the three upper terraces, with an artificial cave, and topped by a 'water staircase'. On the top two gigantic female figures probably represent the eternal rivals, Lucca and Florence, dominated by the statue of 'Fama', blowing in a shell, from which a jet of water flows. The brilliant water system of the garden was designed by the Lucca scientist Ottaviano Diodati, who is also remembered in history for having published in Italy, with the impulse of Archbishop Mansi, The Encyclopédie of Diderot and d'Alembert for the first time. The garden can be visited, while the external shape of the villa, characterized by a tower and some statues crowning the roof, can be admired from a distance. Many typical buildings also include the garden: farms, agricultural warehouses or cellars now adapted as a reception center for the visitor or cafeteria-restaurant. The most unique is certainly the building of the Bagnetti, where the noble lords of the villa and their guests, enlivened by a small orchestra, could enjoy a pleasant bath in the bathtubs sunken in the floor.