Alessandro Sebastiani

It’s rare to drive through a somewhat desolate countryside and find yourself in a landscape as fascinating as it is mystical.

The Garden of Ninfa, in the municipality of Cisterna Latina, initially presents itself to the visitor in a rather unassuming manner. The road leading there winds through quaint villages and arid plains, and the park entrance still conceals the wonders within.

However, once inside, everything changes and transforms. Exotic and local plants, meticulously arranged, evoke memories of international travels and intellectual choices informed by a deep understanding of the place. The cypress trees, planted to mark historical locations in the abandoned citadel, and the blooming flowers reflect the careful selection by the Caetani family.

The monumental remains of houses and churches, fragments of medieval frescoes, and the cracks in the walls recall the city’s fluctuating fortunes. From the 8th century AD until the death of Cardinal Niccolò III Caetani in 1585, this place witnessed the passage of time, the succession of Popes and Emperors, and various political and social changes.

Today, the Garden, begun in 1921 and continued to this day, remains a labyrinth of scents, colors, and lights, skillfully harmonized with the material ruins. The tower, the keep, and the town hall stand out, reminding visitors of the cyclical nature of history and life.