Ancient Gardens from Babylon to Rome

Classic literature and art provide strong evidence of the history of gardens in Antiquity. This exhibition takes visitors from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) to the gardens celebrated in Greek mythology and those of the Roman world. The ideal route shows the typological evolution of the garden in the ancient world going from a place of leisure to a space devoted to meditation and study as well as naturalistic and technical experimentation. Archaeological findings, frescoes and working models illustrate the water courses, which were indispensable elements for every type of represented garden. In addition, wonderful paintings portraying gardens rich with flora and fauna reveal the fascination of the Roman world with the luxuriant “paradises” of Oriental landscapes, that they tried to recreate in the great Roman villas.

Exhibition Dates