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Villa Carrelli, also known as Villa Reale, is one of the most beautiful noble abodes in Lecce, built in the second half of the XIX century by Luigi Carrelli; in 1928, it was purchased by Francesco Reale, an entrepreneur and a patron, then re-designed by his wife, Mariolina Saccardo, who entrusted the creation of a new garden to the young Pietro Porcinai.

The green area, which still retains traces of the exotic Mediterranean taste of the XIX century, contains many smaller gardens. The overall, eye-catching appearance of the area is mainly based on colour and topiary art contrasts, rather than on the spectacular blooming of the flowers. There are, in fact, grey olive trees, intense green cypresses, dark green pruned laurels, etc.

Not to mention the part of the garden dedicated to just as impressive exotic species, such as palms, agaves, yuccas, and cacti.

Large areas of grass alternate with decorations made with irregularly shaped and randomly placed uncut stones (Opus incertum).

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)