The first of the secret gardens of Villa Borghese (together with those of the Uccelliera and the Meridiana) owes its name to the characteristic and fragrant bitter orange trees that line one side, although in the Borghese family documents it is often referred to as “Old Garden”. Before the interventions commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the garden already existed with its own well-defined layout.
After purchasing the area, the cardinal renovated the garden in accordance with the tastes of the time. He had a refined perspective backdrop built, enriched with architectural and sculptural elements – niches, festoons, cornices and reliefs – and adorned it with two African marble fountains with dragons (later removed) and a wide variety of plants and flowers. The 144 potted citrus trees, often rare or unusual species, formed an extraordinary collection that ideally evoked the legendary garden of the Hesperides.
Until 31 December, the garden will be open to the public every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with free admission. The garden is enriched by the installation “Tra i giardini segreti” (Among the Secret Gardens), designed by Studio Sartogo Architetti - Nathalie Grenon Sartogo and Elica Sartogo. The seating sculptures, made of glazed and hand-painted terracotta, become places to rest and marvel: small scenes from which to observe, with a renewed gaze, the many varieties of citrus fruits and other botanical species.
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