Gardens of Ninfa

    Gardens of Ninfa is a shrine, a green place which enshrine the ruins of a medieval city, burnt and plundered several times and in the end left by inhabitants. Today, just the vestiges remain, surrounding a lake whit its defensive walls, towers, churches and houses.

    At the edge of Pedemontana Volsca way, which linked Rome with south of Lazio, underneath the crag of Norma, a limpid lake is. It was born by the waters of Ninfeo river, and on its shores, during the VII century a.C., a small group of inhabitants from Norba settled. Since the river name means, in Latin language, "water place" or rather a "place consecrated to a ninfa", the settlement was called Ninfa.

    Ninfa's fortune lasted until February of 1382, when, after centuries of economic and architectural growth, which saw the construction  of churches, houses, mills, a palace with a strong bulwark and new defensive walls, the city was overcome by internecine fights. Completely destroyed, it was never rebuilt. Malaria went through it dispersing the few farmers remained on the place. Ninfa lived just in the memory, and in the 1800s it was called "the Pompei of Middle Age".

       

        In  the 1920 the  Prince  Gelasio  Caetani  decided   to clear  up  the area  with  the  aim  to  create the wonderful  garden  which  today   we  still admire. His work  was  continued   and  completed   by  donna Lelia, the   last   representative   of   the  family.   In 1977,  at   her death, Ninfa was donated to Roffredo Caetani Foundation. 

    

Our walk into the garden is leaded by the watercourses and we go with the sound of their waterfalls and the murmuring of the flowing water beneath the bridges. The river flows aside the watermill, and a ruined ivy covered bridge still standing on the green water river. Walking among the ruins, the urban lay out is still clearly distinguishable, giving the garden a setting which appeals to the imagination. And the path aside the river turns towards the lake, crosses the river on an arches bridge, then flanks the lake, where the Castle with its tower is reflected on the clear surface. Turned all around the lake, using the Consular Road, the walk arrives to the hortus and at the Castle.
    Inside the garden we can meet 19 different varieties of deciduous Magnolia, along birches, water Irises and a fabulous variety of Japanese Maples. Moreover Cherry trees have a spectacular blossom in Spring. Among 1300 different species that is possible admire into the almost 2.5 acres of garden, we remember Viburnum (Viburnum tinus), Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium), Ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Clematis (Clematis montana), Cornelias Cherry (Cornus mas), flowering Apple trees (Malus) and Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera).  Many  Rose  varieties  grow 

along the paths, festooning trees and ruins, bordering the river and the streams. In a substantial collection are worthy of note varieties as R. banksiae, R. bracteata, R. x odorata 'Mutabilis', R. hugonis, 'Ballerina', 'Iceberg', 'Max Graf', 'Complicata', 'Penelope', 'Buff Beauty', 'M.me Alfred Carriere', R. filipes 'Kiftsgate', 'Gloire de Dijon'. Wild flowers are much in evidence, for example Anemone, Valerian, Bellis, Primulas and Cyclamens, colouring meadows and paths.

   

      The Ninfa's  mild  climate  allows  to  grow  even tropical  plants,  as  Avocado,  Gunnera  manicata  of  South  America,  Banana  trees.   Many  shrubs  have   been  planted  not  just  for  their beauty, but because perfect   habitat   to    birds,   more  than   hundred   different species registered, and insects which leave inside the Garden.

   The best time to visit Giardini di Ninfa are the mild days of Italian Spring, when scents are in the air, which is warm and the breeze kisses you. The sun is bright but not strong enough to make colours lighter, as happens in Summer. You'll love to lay on the green grass, smelling its odour and the soil, tasting the air and slowly sliding into the particular torpor which belong just to Italian Spring.