Villa Barbarigo Valsanzibio
After losing his wife to the Black Plague (1630-31), Venetian noble Zuane Francisco Barbarigo moved his family from Venice to Valsanzibio to avoid the plague. He promised God that if his family was spared from the plague he would build a memorial to thank God. The fulfillment of that promise was The Monumental Garden of Valsanzibio.
His son Greorio, Bishop of Padua, inspired the design and symbolic meaning of the plan. Plans were drawn up by Luigi Bernini and the Garden was constructed between 1665 and 1696.
The garden is a spiritual journey through nature and art. The journey includes Diana’s ‘Doorway, the beginning of your journey to peace, thru the labyrinth, continue to many places to meditate, explore Rabbit Island and follow the Path of Salvation to the Staircase of Sonnets .
The goal of current and past owners is to protect and preserve the artistic and botanical heritage. The garden is located south east of Padua (Padova), Italy. To learn more about this amazing garden visit the website below.
https://www.valsanzibiogiardino.com/
Thank you to Carol Burton for sharing!
His son Greorio, Bishop of Padua, inspired the design and symbolic meaning of the plan. Plans were drawn up by Luigi Bernini and the Garden was constructed between 1665 and 1696.
The garden is a spiritual journey through nature and art. The journey includes Diana’s ‘Doorway, the beginning of your journey to peace, thru the labyrinth, continue to many places to meditate, explore Rabbit Island and follow the Path of Salvation to the Staircase of Sonnets .
The goal of current and past owners is to protect and preserve the artistic and botanical heritage. The garden is located south east of Padua (Padova), Italy. To learn more about this amazing garden visit the website below.
https://www.valsanzibiogiardino.com/
Thank you to Carol Burton for sharing!
Diana's Pavilion or Diana's Doorway was the main entrance by water to the Barbarigo Estate. It represented the beginning of the pathway to salvation. Originally boats could sail up to this entrance.
Diana's Bath fountains, statues and ponds
Five meter high hedges line the walkways through the garden.
Boxwood labyrinth with some plants over 400 years old.
A quiet place to meditate.
Rabbit Island, surrounded by water, is a physical representation of how the human body is limited by the confines of time and space.
Statue of time with a dodecahedron on his back representing the 12 months of the year. "Fly with time the hours and escape the years" (quote at the bottom of the statue).
Fountain of Tricks or Water Jokes. Just when you thought you had arrived, there is more to the journey. If you sit on the bench the fountain comes on and you get wet.
Mahonia aquifolium or Oregon Grape on the left, 400 year old cedars on the center and a California Cedar planted in 1665 on the right.
Staircase of sonnets "In Venice there is hell and here instead there is Paradise" (quote on the bottom stair).
Villa Barbarigo.
