RENAISSANCE GARDEN
Overlooking Lake Michigan, the Renaissance Garden at Villa Terrace recreates the classic elements of a 16th century Tuscan landscape while accommodating the vagaries of the Wisconsin Climate. Rose Standish Nichols designed the original villa gardens in collaboration with the home’s architect David Adler. In 1997, the Friends of Villa Terrace led by landscape architect Dennis Buettner created a restoration plan to revive the garden, focusing on the classical elements of the original landscape.
The Renaissance Garden is open year-round (weather permitting) with an official garden opening celebration on the first Sunday in June. Entrance to the garden is obtained through the main entrance of the museum. (Terrace Avenue)
Points of interest:
“Neptune” Gate
Inspired by master craftsman Cyril Colnik, this wrought iron masterpiece by metalsmith Dan Nauman creates a regal entrance to the garden from the Lincoln Memorial Drive level.
Scaletta d’Aqua
A dramatic “water stairway” flows down past three terraces of flowering crabapple trees to a Vasca, a fishpond used historically to keep the daily catch fresh
Two Secret Gardens and a thicket (where, in the past, birds might be caught for the evening meal)
Grassy spaces and benches, bordered wit hculinary and medicinal herbs, potted citrus trees, unusual plantings, dwarf fruit trees and statuary.
Tram
A tram carries passengers from the upper terrace to the lower garden.
