A Guide to Bagbaia

Bagnaia is a small town near the northern border of Lazio and only a short distance from Viterbo. This historic town is famous for the lavish gardens which are part of the sixteenth century Villa Lante. Arguably these gardens are considered as Italy’s finest.

Piazza XX Settembre is the beautiful town square at the heart of the town which makes a perfect starting point before you take to exploring the rest of the town. The restaurants found around the square have delicious menus and the gardens provide excellent spots for picnics. The construction of the villa commenced in the 16th Century by Cardinal Raffaele Riario and enclosed 22 hectares of land. The villa was later owned by the Lante della Rovere family for three centuries until 1933.

The entrance demonstrates the villas aristocratic grandeur with the theatrical fountain and statue of Pegasus. Once inside the Fontana del Quadrato dominates the centre of the gardens. The two villas that overlook the gardens are themselves masterpieces with beautifully frescoed walls and furnishings.