A Renaissance Castle Garden in Italy

The Castle of Este
The Castle of Este (Castello Carrera) surrounded by beautiful gardens

 Step into the magical medieval world of Carrera Castle in the village of Este. Born at the height of invading war lords and princes during the 13th century, its tall crenelated fortress walls stand stalwart even to this day. Once the “capital” of ancient Venetians, it is now an elegant garden of tranquil beauty.

Situated just south of Padua in the Veneto region, nestled against the feet of the Euganean hills, the castle’s imposing remains are the towns main attraction. Este was a Roman colony since the 2nd century BC. The Estense family erected a castle and fortified the town in the early medieval era. Later, in 1340, the Venetians, along with the Da Carrera family rebuilt some of the castle and enlarged the circle of walls.

Old Mythical Statues, Castle of Este, Italy
Old Statues hidden among the foliage

Several mythical statues appear among the greenery, old and mysterious, like figures out of a Greek play.

Courtly Love
Courtly Love

During the Renaissance years, troubadours gathered on the castle grounds from near and far to write and sing their poems of chivalry and courtly love. Art began to flourish, and the senses were reawakened. It was the dawning of a new age, a time for romantic interludes, a rebirth of thoughts and ideas.

Statues in the Castle of Este gardens

Row of mythical gods line the garden walkway as a flag waves atop the Castle Keep
statue in the Castle of Este, Italy
Statue fronts the crenelated castle walls
Centaur statue in the Castle of Este, Italy
A statue held together by strands of steel…but they have been standing here for 300 years!

Greenery against ancient stone seemed to transport me back to an earlier time. Wandering the grounds brought images of lords and ladies strolling side by side in their own gardens of delight. Troubadours wrote their poetry and sang at the castle banquets by firelight. 

Castle of Este gardens, Italy
Benches to rest on and take in the surrounding beauty
Castle of Este gardens, Italy
Pathway along the gardens
Garden entrance at the Castle of Este, Italy
Garden Gate


English poets Lord Byron and Shelley walked the streets of Este more than a century ago, no doubt mentally composing their compelling verses of poetry while strolling through the castle gardens. Could it be they conversed with the old troubadours of the past, who whispered their inspiration to them among the little groves of blushing pink roses?

Hot Springs and Castles Among the Vineyards

Euganean Hill country from Arqua Petrarca
Euganean Hill country seen from the town of Arqua Petrarca




Vineyards and villa of the Euganean Hills



Cypress trees line the roads adding an old stately effect
Cypress trees line the roads adding an old stately effect
Abbazia Di Praglia-


Castle ramparts circling the town of Este
Castle ramparts circling the town of Este


A neighborhood in the town of Arqua Petrarca
A neighborhood in the town of Arqua Petrarca
Hills surrounding the neighborhood
Lovely brick villa in the neighborhood
Lovely brick villa set right up against the street
Monument on the side of the road
Monument on the side of the road
Walled beauty
Walled beauty in brick and iron



Classico: Roman Wine II


“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.”  Galileo Galilei

Evening sunlight plays delicately among the luscious grape clusters, casting shadows across the nurturing volcanic soil that feeds the vine. The sun’s vitamin-enriching warmth had done its job. Cool evening breezes softly lend rest for the night.

Evening vineyard

Italy today is a wine-lovers paradise. It’s not just the variety of grapes and tastes, but the wine embraces the ancient tradition of viticulture introduced by the Greeks thousands of years ago. The Romans, eager to adopt their methods, continued to develop vine-growing into a wine that became world renown.

vineyard men

Classico- wine that is grown in the original heart of the zone.

Regions of Italy
Regions of Italy

Let me introduce you to the main wines that have stood the test of a very, very long time in the Roman Empire.

Falernian, wine of the gods.

greco grapesFalerno

“It is the only wine that takes flight when a flame is applied to it.”   Pliny, Roman historian

Falernian, the greatest wine of all times favored by the emperors and popes… Known to mature with age and increase in value, it was grown just north of Naples near the ocean in the region of Campania. After the fall of the Roman empire in the 4th century, Falernian fell out of favor.  Now known as Falerno, it experienced a revival 50 years ago in which the grapes that were used by the Romans were re-discovered through long research. The red, they found, is the Aglianico vine, and the white is believed to be Greco di Tufo.

Pompeiians hoop it up...they loved their Falernian wine!
Pompeiians whoop it up…they loved their Falernian wine! (ancient fresco found in ruins of Pompeii.)
Greco di Tufo
Greco di Tufo- has a good nose

Greco di Tufo, historically a sweet wine, is the oldest white grape variety in Campania. Grown on volcanic soil, it is a clean refreshing wine that needs to be consumed young. Today it is vinified completely dry and paired with sea foods and salads.


Soave Classico
Soave Classico for two
Soave is a dry white wine with a light gold color. Grown around Verona in the Veneto region, it is crisp and clean, with an alcohol content of 12%

ValpolicellaBright red and refined, with smooth fruity notes, this wine is grown in the Veneto, near Verona. Established in the 5th century BC. , it remains a light fragrant table wine.

Orvietto Classico label
Orvietto Classico label

Orvietto is grown in the vineyards around the ancient hilltop town of Orvietto, in the Umbrian region. This wine is a straw-yellow color and delicately flavored. Established by the Etruscans in the 5th century BC, it was the favored wine of the papacy in medieval times!

Chianti Classico with Rooster seal
Chianti Classico with Rooster seal

Ahhhh, Chianti! I love Chianti. Originating with the Etruscans, it is grown in Tuscany between Florence and Siena. It is a glorious red wine with floral notes. The rooster seal on every bottle of Chianti Classico means that the company is a member of the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico. This enables them to protect, oversee and maintain the prices of the Chianti Classico.

Verdiccio dei Castelli di Jesi grapes
Verdiccio dei Castelli di Jesi grapes

Verdiccio dei Castelli di Jesi is a medium bodied dry white wine. Because the grapes are green, the wine is straw-colored with green shades. It is flowery and harmonic. Verdiccio dei Castelli di Jesi is grown in the Marche region of central Italy by the Adriatic coastline.

Bar in Pompeii....Wine, Anyone?
Bar in Pompeii….Vino, Anyone?

The best wines in antiquity were kept in amphorae or glass bottles. They were corked, but lead was used as an extra sealant. Clay, metal or glass cups were used to drink the wine. The Romans kept certain of their finest wines for a very long time. Horace wrote of drinking a vintage that was twice his age. However, most wines were drunk young.

The Greeks and their wine
The Greeks and their wine, they preferred to drink out of shallow bowls.
Ancient Bar in Pompeii
Ancient Bar in Pompeii-notice the celebration happening on the back wall.
Pompeii's Mt. Vesuvius
Pompeii’s Mt. Vesuvius-bad for Pompeii but good for the soil!

Today, each time I enjoy a glass of wine, whether I am in Italy or home, I can’t help but think of the Greeks and Romans. And so I toast to them for giving us one of their many gifts, the gift of wine!

Rome, Trastevere, Forum, Museo Guillia 347
Join me for a glass of Falerno?


*Roman Empire, Nigel Rodgers, 2008 by Anness Publishing Ltd. pgs. 486-487