Why
Villa d'Este
is special

Many consider the Villa d'Este in Tivoli to be Italy's finest Renaissance-era garden. Its terraced, shade-tree landscape is dotted with over 500 fountains.

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The villa comprises
both gardens and palace

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Which is better, the
gardens or palace?

Allocate nearly all your time exploring the gardens (the fresco-decorated palace pales by comparison).

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Top 5 Villa d'Este
garden attractions

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Must-sees:

Organ Fountain
Water creates musical notes as it gushes through special pipes.

Hundred Fountains
They line a long path.

Neptune Fountain
Beautifully designed and strategically located.

Oval Fountain
Produces a water-theatre performance.

Dragon Fountain
Jets a water column high into the air.

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History in brief

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Creation, decline
& restoration

Villa d'Este was built for Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este in the mid 1500s. It then slowly deteriorated through neglect and plundering. Restoration began in the 1800s and is all but completed today.

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Villa d'Este - Page two

Shoes

Lunch

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Italian Government Tourist Board

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©2010 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications