Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli, and the Villa D'Este

I certainly don’t want to leave this blog as a testament to my not finishing it. Now that I have some time, I definitely want to finish out what I can of the semester in Italy blog!

I last left you with the third week of November, 2007 (!) so I take up with what followed.

As autumn deepened, we went to Hadrian’s villa. It turned out to be a beautiful fall day, and we even got to see some fall color.

Ah, autumn...

Hadrian was considered a Greek-loving emperor, because he had a beard, and a boy lover named Antinous. He also had a really sweet villa. There are a lot of anecdotal stories about his designing some of the architecture himself, and having the master Apollodorus condescend to him. One of his “bad” ideas was the ‘gourd dome.’

I think it's kinda cool, actually.

His villa also had baths, a little theatre, dining halls, and this peculiar space, the actual purpose of which scholars still debate. Some say it was a theatre space, and others a quaint little getaway. It’s a round little island house surrounded by a moat, which used to have a removable bridge, they say.

Dare you to cross the moat!

Whatever it is, Hadrian’s villa is most famously recognized for the Euripus. This is a long thin reflecting pool (kind of like in front of Washington Monument) surrounded by Egypt themed things. Hadrian’s lover drowned in the Nile, so this space was sort of dedicated to him. Here it is from the back end:

Apparently, he used to dine here.

And, me being artsy with the camera near the top end:

The Eurpipus was very, very awesome.

After that, we hurried to nearby Tivoli, to check out some temples from the Republican period.

We were basically in people’s doorway to do this. It’s amazing how ancient stuff exists right alongside regular people and their homes.

This was fascinating as the temples we could not access because of the gate.

Thereafter, we went to the Villa D’Este in Tivoli, to see the copious fountains and get an idea of what gardens and water features might have done to enhance the lavish setting of Hadrian’s villa.

My love for this tree is very great.

From above, the Rome Ship fountain.

This is depicting the myth of Pegasus who created a spring by striking the ground with his hoof.

This portrayal of Isis is meant to emphasize fertility and maternal aspect.

I really like the fountain-as-stair-rai

Hannah and Alice walk along the fountain wall.

The Villa D’Este is a popular spot of lovliness for Italians as well: Professoressa Colantoni’s first date with her now-husband was there!