Description

The Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato, or IPZS, has issued the new coin in the series entitled, “Historical Villas and Gardens,” which focuses on some of Italy’s well-known, historical, and stately homes and their environs. The 2014-dated coin features the exquisite Villa Lante in Bagnaia.

Villa Lante is a Mannerist garden of surprise in Bagnaia, Viterbo, central Italy, attributed to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola. Villa Lante did not become so known until it passed to Ippolito Lante Montefeltro della Rovere, Duke of Bomarzo, in the 17th century, when it was already 100 years old.

The Villa can boast one of the most famous Italian Mannerist gardens of surprise of the 16th century, which was awarded in 2011 as the “Most beautiful park of Italy”. The wonderful Villa was built between 1511 and 1566 by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and consists of two nearly identical "casini" (houses), marvellous gardens and fountains with amazing water effects.

Artist: Maria Carmela Colaneri