Palazzo Farnese

A great pentagonal villa-fortress with two quadrilateral parterres on it flanks and a casino in the woods. The layout of the parterres has changed but they remain impressive, if somewhat blank. The garden retreat in the woods, designed by Vignola, is a place of wonder. It lies in a glade at the end of a long path and is known as the Casino del Piacere (House of Pleasure). There is a water staircase, fountains, terraces, a casino and logia. It was used as a private retreat by Cardinal Odorado Farnese.