Villa Le Balze – now part of Georgetown University
On Tuesday garden tour our second visit was to Le Balze – created as the home for eccentric Philosopher Charles Strong after his wife Bessie Rockerfeller died leaving him a grieving widower with a nine year old daughter.
Like Cosimo di Medici in the 14th Century Strong found solace in Fiesole’s San Girolamo (St Jerome) monastery and wanted his property close to this – also enjoying Cosimo wonderful view overlooking Florence. Young architect and garden designer Cecil Pinsent took up the challenge of the design and transformed the hillside into a perfect retreat for the unhappy man.
to be continued..
Trackbacks/Pingbacks