Cities and Centers of Art
4948 Grandi Giardini Italiani
The Essence of Paradise
Texts by Judith Wade, Delfina Rattazzi. Literary anthology curated by Caterina Napoleone
2022 / 276 PAGES
Italy’s most magnificent gardens and enchanting parks take centre stage in this volume created for Grandi Giardini Italiani, where texts and photographs illustrate the places described while leaving readers eager to explore this cultural and natural heritage.
The book Grandi Giardini Italiani, published for the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Grandi Giardini Italiani network by Judith Wade, celebrates the places where nature, art and history come together to amaze visitors. The volume sets out to describe the places belonging to the network, taking readers on a journey in search of Italy’s green splendours.
The text by author and journalist Delfina Rattazzi maps out an itinerary that spans the entire peninsula, gathering the gardens around focal points that highlight their similarities and – by telling the stories of these places while leaving their charm unspoiled – help us understand their histories and singularities.
Completing the volume is an anthology edited by art historian Caterina Napoleone: a literary stroll among the gardens fashioned by writers – from the lost words of those who lived long ago to the words of contemporary authors.
Side by side with the texts, images of the gardens reveal their most beautiful vistas, hidden corners, picturesque details and stunning views, through photographs that give us the chance to admire these wonderful fusions of human ingenuity and the astonishing power of nature.