Tivoli : City of Water

By Thomas Serafini

andFilippoMorcell

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Index

•History•Villa d’Este•Villa Gregoriana

History Tivoli was the ancient Roman city Tibur. Its trades are confirmed by the Sanctuary of Hercules the winner , built in the II century. During the republican and imperial age Tivoli became full of rich Roman villas , such as Villa Adriana, house of the Emperor Hadrian.In the Middle Age Tivoli was a bishop’s venue and in the 1550 Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este was appointed as governor to the city. He promoted the construction of Villa d’Este.

Villa d’Este Villa d’Este is one of the three villas of Tivoli . It was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este , and was build by Pirro Ligorio and Tommaso Chirurchi , the most skilled hydraulic engineers of the sixteenth century . This villa is rich in pools, fountains , waterfalls and water jets

Fontana dell’organoThe organ fountain was built by Pirro Ligorio between 1568 and 1611 d.C . The fountain was built so that the water passing through the tubes, produce musical sounds . The fountain was fixed in 2003 after a period of no service.

The one hundred fountainsProjected by Pirro Ligorio the one hundred fountains is a hallway, between Ovato and Rometta fountains. It is adorned with sculpture of lilies, obelisks and eagles. These symbols were very appreciated by the Cardinal.

Neptune’s fountainThe hugest, most scenographic and most important fountain of the villa. It was built by Attilio Rossi in 1927 . The highest part is formed by the balaustrade of the Organ fountain.

Between the base and the terrace there are 12 jets , 6 in the right part the other 6 in the left part.

The dragons ‘s fountain

Built by Pirro Ligorio , this fountain is the heart of Villa d’Este . It represents four dragons fighting one another.

According to a legend, this fountain represents Hercules’s eleventh labour : he had to fight against the dragon Ladone

Villa GregorianaThe place where

this villa stands was very important for comunications thanks to Via Valeria that passed nearby. This was a reason why the acropolis of the city of Tibur and the first bridge on the river were built in this area in pre-roman times.

DESCRIPTIONThis villa is set on a hill called “Villa Inferno” in front of a huge waterfall . This area was subjected to seasonal tides and floods from the river since the Roman times. Pope Gregory XVI ordered the construction of two artificial canals (more than 280 metres long) to divert the river out of the city. Villa Gregoriana was made to celebrate this important engineering project creating a majestic scenery .

TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF TOPIARY ART IN TIVOLIThis villa represents an example of Romantic

gardening, while Villa D’este is a clear example of Reinassance Gardening . Both villas are the results of a skillful use of water resources.

In the Renaissance Man wanted to demonstrate his control over nature and gardens were artificial, carefully organized and full of artistic artifacts .

In the Romantic period fashionable gardens had a more natural aspect, with waterfalls , shadowy paths and mysterious caves, but they were equally the result of careful planning and great artistic skill.