The Italian Gardens represent an authentic beauty of landscape art, characterized by their elegance, geometric order and timeless beauty; as well as a charm that has been able to inspire cultures all over the world. Born during the late Renaissance period, these gardens are characterized by a geometric subdivision of the spaces through rows of trees and hedges, plant sculptures of various shapes obtained with the pruning of evergreen bushes, geometric water features, often combined with architectural elements such as fountains and statues.

Let us now give some historical context.

During the Middle Ages, the garden was usually conceived as a functional and non-aesthetic place, mainly used for practical purposes such as the cultivation of medicinal herbs, edible plants and vegetables. These spaces often had a simple, rustic look, with informally arranged flower beds and uneven paths. Symmetry, geometric order and aesthetics were in no way priority elements, on the contrary what was given importance was the utility that the external environment could produce.

Things begin to change during the Italian Renaissance. In this period, gardens begin to be thought of as an aesthetic space (taking inspiration from the beautiful gardens of Roman villas), designed to express ideals of beauty, harmony and man's control over nature. These places were characterized by a regular and geometric design, with a strong use of symmetry and precise proportions. They were often structured around a central axis, with features such as fountains, statues, pergolas and water basins strategically placed along the main route. The Italian gardens were therefore designed as an extension of noble residences or stately villas, acting as representative environments and places of leisure for the nobility.

Here are some curiosities:

• The Italian Gardens were considered a symbol of status and power, and were often used as a backdrop for important political and social gatherings
• One of the main principles behind the Italian Gardens was the idea of control over nature, through the manipulation of landscape elements to create order and beauty. The great lords of the Renaissance believed that beauty was the result of nature and human genius
• Among the most famous Italian Gardens we can find: the Boboli Gardens of Palazzo Pitti in Florence, the Gardens of Villa d'Este in Tivoli and the Gardens of Villa Lante in Bagnaia (we advise you to write down these addresses because they are truly incredible places to visit)

To conclude, it is the Italian-style garden that has profoundly influenced the history of gardening, and it is from it that French gardens (the magnificent gardens of Versailles for example) and English ones draw their inspiration. Historically, the first Italian gardens with their geometric style are attributed to Niccolò Tribolo, who designed the Boboli gardens in Florence, the ones in Villa Castello and in Villa Corsini.