One of the things I miss in California is the way Italian buildings age so darn gracefully. Our houses rot. Italian houses don’t get pretty until a little plaster starts flaking off the wall and the gaudy paint gets splotchy and fades to an artistic and variegated tonality.
The (clickable) picture to the right is of Villa La Pescigola, which is not far outside Fivizzano in the Lunigiana. They have great gardens. But the villa itself is what amazes me.
And there’s always someone around who knows exactly what to do with the inner courtyard. See over there to the left? Incredible. Wouldn’t you want to eat like this, in an inner courtyard, sheltered from winds but in the open air nonetheless? I thought so.
But another thing about Villa La Pescigola is the fountainage. The use of theatrical masks and statuary—and those bathtubs that remind you instantly of Rome (perhaps on the Via Giulia just outside of the Piazza Farnese).
Of course there are flowers. I have countless pictures taken in the tranquility of early morning before folks showed up for some kind of event.
You see, we sort of snuck in before a gala for which one had to have purchased tickets. I confess that I drove past the ticket taker at the entrance to the grounds a little sheepishly. Of course, they hadn’t invited me to dinner, so I didn’t feel too much like a pecora. At least I got to see the place settings.
The Villa Pescigola has a web site, of course, and there’s an English version. If you’re ever around the Lunigiana you should check out the events. If you come in spring you’ll be rewarded by seeing a great number of blooming things surrounding you.