The Italian garden, born in the 15th century was the first example of an organised and complex garden which then went on to influence all the subsequent landscaped gardens. The style is characterised by terracing, architectures at one with nature, scenic design which frames the landscape and a great number of water features. However, during the seventeenth century the Italian garden was influenced by the Baroque style and its design grew rich with symbolic meanings. The Giardino di Villa Barbarigo - Pizzoni Ardemani at Valsanzibio di Galzignano Terme (Province of Padua) is one of the best-kept original examples of this style due to the symbolism that blends Christian and mythological figures together.

The Giardino di Valsanzibio was created to represent the symbolic journey that man makes, starting from the earthly dimension and arriving at divine deliverance. The Garden is accessed through the grand Portale di Diana (Gate of Diana), landing place of the canal which connected the villa to the Sant'Eusebio Valley (''San Zibio'') and the lagoons: at one time Venice could be reached directly from the canal and it was the hometown of the House of Barbarigo who built the villa and garden during the mid 17th century. From the gate one goes through the Arco di Sileno (Arch of Silenus) and the fishpond known as the Bagno di Diana (Diana’s Bathing Pool), the first stretch of water in a natural water theatre that can be admired from the moment you enter the garden. Then you will go past the Fontana dell'Iride (Fountain of Iris/Rainbow Fountain) and the Peschiera dei Venti (Fishpond of the Winds).

The square shaped labyrinth is one of the rare originals still in existence and is also one of the most vast as it covers 1,500 metres. Once you reach the Fontana della Pila, you will go down the Gran Viale (Great Avenue) next to the Isola dei Conigli (Rabbit Island), a small rabbit warren (breeding reserve) which counts as one of the few still intact and was conceived as a symbol of how human beings are trapped between space and time. By continuing in this direction one reaches the Statua del Tempo (Statue of Time) which interrupts its flight through space and accompanies one along the way to the Scalea delle Lonze (Stairs of the Lonze), animals from Dantesque imagi. From here one reaches the Villa’s piazza among the allegorical statues- there are more than 70 in the garden – which frame the last destination of the tour, the Fontana della Rivelazione (Fountain of Revelation).

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