Villa Lante

Villa Lante is a Mannerist garden of surprise in Bagnaia, Viterbo, central Italy, attributed to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola.

The Villa, a property of the Republic of Italy, since December 2014, is run by the Polo Museale del Lazio.

The Villa Lante is formed by two casini (houses), nearly identical but built by different owners in a period separated by 30 years.

An upper floor is merely hinted at by small rectangular, mezzanine type, windows above those of the piano nobile.

The first casino and upper garden were quickly completed, but work was then suspended for the remainder of Gambara's lifetime.

Gambara died in 1587 and was succeeded as Apostolic Administrator of Viterbo by the 17-year-old nephew of Pope Sixtus V, Cardinal Alessandro Peretti di Montalto.

At the heart of the complex, a centre basin contains the "Fontana dei Mori" by Giambologna: four life-sized moors stand square around two lions; they hold high the heraldic mountain surmounted by the star shaped fountain jet, the Montalto coat of arms.

On the next (third) terrace is a large and long stone table, with a central channel with water flowing to keep the wine cool.

The main facades of these small casini, like their grander relations on the lower terrace, feature Serliana loggias articulated by Ionic columns, suggesting they might have been designed by Vignola.