Villa Taranto Gardens

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iVilla Taranto Events

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iVilla Taranto Contacts

In 1931, Scottish Captain, Neil McEacharn bought an estate called "La Crocetta" and from there the Villa Taranto Gardens were born. He named the villa "Taranto" in memory of his ancestor, Marshal McDonald, on whom Napoleon conferred the Dukedom of Taranto.

Neil McEacharn wished to create a British style garden that would remind him of Scotland and after a lot of work collecting specimens from all over the world, acclimatising them and arranging them in the grounds of the villa, Captain McEacharn has realised his dream.

Among the greatest achievements are the "Valletta" (containing azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons), the irrigation plant fed by water from the lake, the Terraced Gardens with their beautiful waterfalls,  the swimming pool, water lily and lotus pools and the Winter garden.

To ensure that his hard work continued after his death, Captain McEacharn generously donated the Villa Taranto gardens to the Italian State. So, when he died in 1964, the Ente Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto took over the management of the gardens. The Captain himself was buried in the garden's chapel/mausoleum.

The gardens were opened to the public in 1952 and remain open every year from April to October. There are currently around 1,000 plants that have never before been cultivated in Italy and almost 20,000 varieties of special botanical importance.

The number of visitors to the gardens has now reached over 150,000 per year with groups of both scholars and garden lovers arriving from all over the globe.

Events: Between the 25th of April and the 1st of May every year there is the "Tulip Week" where thousands of tulip beds containing over 65 varieties are in full colour. One in every five adult tickets has a special stamp on the back and the bearer can collect a free gift of a plant cultivated in the garden. The permanent Dahlia exhibition is in bloom from July until the end of October and contains 1500 plants divided into 300 species. On the last Sunday in May (if bad weather this will be postponed) there is an exhibition of locally produced food and wine.

Directions: You can reach the gardens by ferry - there is a "Villa Taranto" stop just opposite the entrance or on foot from Pallanza (approx 20 minutes).

Opening/Prices: For the 2008 season he gardens are open everyday from 19th March to 2nd November 08.30-18.30 (October 08.30-17.00). Adults cost €8.50 and children 6-14 years €5.50.

Contacts:

Website: www.villataranto.it

Email: entevillataranto@tin.it

Tel: 0039 0323 556667

Fax: 0039 0323 556667