DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16633#0229
The French Garden in European Countries
209
old patterns. Charles proceeded to Naples as king m 1734, and after he had at length se-
cured recognition from the Powers, he desired to give proper expression to his might and
dignity by building a gigantic castle in the fashion of his northern ancestors. In 1752 the
architect Vanvitelli began to make a castle at the little town of Caserta, and this was to be
the greatest palace in the world (Fig. 527).
There was no doubt in the mind of the founder that this place would rival Versailles,
Photograph by Mrs. Aubrey Le Blond.
FIG. 528. CASERTA, ITALY—THE POOL OF THE GREAT CASCADE
garden and all. The building, with its four great courts, was entered through a gigantic
fore-court, oval in shape. By the side were parterres of flowers, and an orangery was on
lower ground on the east, as at Versailles. On the other side there was a riding-course
bordered by avenues in the Roman fashion. A series of steps leads from the castle terrace
to the great parterre, which was embedded in boskets with basins and fountains (Figs. 526,
527). Neither the parterre nor the surrounding groves show any original features. The effect
of the whole must have depended on the cascade, which fell from the hill opposite into
the main axis of the castle. Above, it is cut off by a terrace which gives a fine view. The
water falls sheer fifty feet down into a pond, which is decked out with groups in Carrara
marble, representing the story of Diana and Actaeon (Fig. 528). Thence it falls from step
to step, so superabundantly beset with statues that their white curving bodies are mingled
209
old patterns. Charles proceeded to Naples as king m 1734, and after he had at length se-
cured recognition from the Powers, he desired to give proper expression to his might and
dignity by building a gigantic castle in the fashion of his northern ancestors. In 1752 the
architect Vanvitelli began to make a castle at the little town of Caserta, and this was to be
the greatest palace in the world (Fig. 527).
There was no doubt in the mind of the founder that this place would rival Versailles,
Photograph by Mrs. Aubrey Le Blond.
FIG. 528. CASERTA, ITALY—THE POOL OF THE GREAT CASCADE
garden and all. The building, with its four great courts, was entered through a gigantic
fore-court, oval in shape. By the side were parterres of flowers, and an orangery was on
lower ground on the east, as at Versailles. On the other side there was a riding-course
bordered by avenues in the Roman fashion. A series of steps leads from the castle terrace
to the great parterre, which was embedded in boskets with basins and fountains (Figs. 526,
527). Neither the parterre nor the surrounding groves show any original features. The effect
of the whole must have depended on the cascade, which fell from the hill opposite into
the main axis of the castle. Above, it is cut off by a terrace which gives a fine view. The
water falls sheer fifty feet down into a pond, which is decked out with groups in Carrara
marble, representing the story of Diana and Actaeon (Fig. 528). Thence it falls from step
to step, so superabundantly beset with statues that their white curving bodies are mingled