This historic villa, known as Casa del Biviere or Villa Borghese, was built around 1693 on the site
of the ancient Biviere Lake. The site has been declared a property of historical, artistic, and
architectural interest by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and today still includes a church
dedicated to Sant’Andrea, two large residential buildings, and a lush mediterranean garden
spanning approximately two hectares, where native and naturalized species coexist harmoniously.

In 2023, the Borghese family began restoration work on one of the historic buildings and
simultaneously commissioned a project for the surrounding garden.

The new concept design will include a collection of succulent plants, a vegetable garden with adjoining banquet spaces, a panoramic terrace, an outdoor fireplace and four small private terraces, surrounded by a flower garden. The latter, designed in harmony with the architectural style and pastel colors of the building, envelops the four small terraces, transforming them into intimate spaces for reading and relaxation.

The planting scheme alternates pastel-colored flowering perennials with golden grasses and evergreen mediterranean shrubs. Among these species, a few succulents, such as Agave attenuata, Hesperaloe parviflora, and Yucca rostrata peek out, adding texture and surprising blooms to the composition, as well as contributing to the garden’s winter silhouette.

Finally, flowering climbers embellish the corten steel pergolas. The paving of the terraces and
paths traversing the new garden consists of irregular natural stone slabs, laid dry in an informal
pattern that allows the architectural element to blend seamlessly into the landscape.

Garden design: Cristina Di Paola

Collaborations: Vivai Cuba, Siracusa