From Bomarzo to Villa d’Este: Five Italian Gardens Named Among the World’s 25 Most Beautiful by The New York Times
Rome, May 6, 2025 – In a recent feature, The New York Times celebrated the timeless allure of Italy’s gardens, naming five iconic landscapes among the 25 most beautiful in the world. From the surreal sculptures of Bomarzo’s Sacro Bosco to the waterworks of Villa d’Este, these gardens showcase Italy’s rich horticultural heritage, blending Renaissance artistry, Baroque grandeur, and mythological whimsy. Below, we explore these five masterpieces, each a testament to Italy’s enduring influence on garden design.
- Sacro Bosco (Park of the Monsters), Bomarzo, Lazio
Nestled in a wooded valley near Viterbo, the Sacro Bosco, or Park of the Monsters, is a 16th-century Mannerist marvel created by Prince Pier Francesco “Vicino” Orsini. Commissioned in 1552 as a tribute to his late wife, Giulia Farnese, and designed by architect Pirro Ligorio, this garden defies conventional beauty with its grotesque, larger-than-life sculptures carved from volcanic rock. Highlights include the gaping “Mouth of Hell,” a war elephant crushing a Roman soldier, and a tilting “Leaning House.” Unlike the orderly Renaissance gardens of its time, Bomarzo’s wild, surreal layout—described as “sol per sfogare il Core” (to set the heart free)—inspired artists like Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. The New York Times praised its “otherworldly atmosphere,” noting its appeal to those seeking the bizarre. The garden, restored in the 1950s by Giovanni Bettini, remains a haunting, imaginative escape. - Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Lazio
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens of Villa d’Este in Tivoli are a pinnacle of Renaissance design, celebrated for their extravagant water features. Commissioned in 1550 by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este and designed by Pirro Ligorio, the gardens transform a steep hillside into a symphony of 51 fountains, 64 waterfalls, and 364 water jets, all powered by gravity. Standouts include the Hundred Fountains, the musical Fountain of the Organ, and the dramatic Fountain of Neptune. The New York Times lauded its “baroque theatricality” and “romantic terraces,” which inspired gardens across Europe, including Versailles. The gardens, set against the backdrop of ancient Hadrian’s Villa, offer a serene escape just 40 minutes from Rome, drawing visitors with their blend of mythology and engineering. - Boboli Gardens, Florence, Tuscany
Spanning 111 acres behind the Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens are a masterpiece of Renaissance landscaping, begun in 1549 for Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici. Designed by Niccolò Pericoli (Il Tribolo) and later enhanced by Giorgio Vasari and Bernardo Buontalenti, the gardens combine formal parterres, ancient statues, and grottoes like the Buontalenti Grotto with naturalistic elements. The New York Times highlighted its “sweeping views of Florence” from the Kaffeehaus terrace and its role as an “open-air museum.” A central axis leads to the Amphitheater and the Isolotto’s Ocean Fountain, creating a harmonious blend of art and nature. The gardens’ influence on European design, including Versailles, cements their global significance. - Villa Rufolo, Ravello, Amalfi Coast
Perched a kilometer above the Mediterranean, the 14th-century Villa Rufolo in Ravello captivates with its medieval architecture and vibrant gardens. Designed in the 19th century by Scottish botanist Francis Nevile Reid, the gardens feature flowerbeds interwoven with stone columns, exotic trees, and bougainvillea, offering panoramic sea views. The New York Times echoed Richard Wagner’s 1880 sentiment, calling it “Klingsor’s magic garden” for its intense beauty. A shaded cloister and a path past Ravello Cathedral lead to a circular courtyard filled with hydrangeas and salvias. The garden’s romantic allure and Mediterranean vistas make it a must-visit on the Amalfi Coast. - Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, Piedmont
On Lake Maggiore’s Borromean Islands, Isola Bella’s 17th-century gardens transform a rocky outcrop into a floating Baroque masterpiece. Commissioned by Carlo III Borromeo for his wife, Isabella D’Adda, and designed with soil shipped to the island, the gardens feature 10 terraced levels with statues, obelisks, and an amphitheater, roamed by white peacocks. The New York Times praised its “dreamlike quality,” with camphor, citrus, and rhododendrons framing views of snow-capped Alps. The Italianate design, complemented by the unfinished summer palace, offers a serene contrast to nearby Isola Madre’s English-style gardens. Accessible by ferry, Isola Bella is a botanical jewel.
These five gardens, as highlighted by The New York Times, embody Italy’s diverse garden legacy, from the fantastical to the formal. Whether you’re drawn to Bomarzo’s eerie sculptures or Villa d’Este’s cascading fountains, each offers a unique journey through history, art, and nature. As Italy continues to inspire global garden design, these landscapes remain essential destinations for travelers and dreamers alike.
Sources: The New York Times, Italia.it, Atlas Obscura, Wikipedia, Walks of Italy, KissFromItaly