Villa Cimbrone, Historic villa and gardens in Ravello, Italy
Villa Cimbrone is a historic property set on a rocky promontory in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, now partly operating as a hotel. The expansive gardens spread across multiple terraces with sculptures, pavilions and viewpoints overlooking the Gulf of Salerno.
The estate originated in the 11th century as a medieval residence and was extensively reshaped from 1904 by Lord Grimthorpe. He brought columns, capitals and reliefs from across Italy, creating an eclectic mix of building styles that gave the place its present character.
The name Cimbrone likely comes from the Latin word Cimbronius or from a medieval family surname. The property combines Mediterranean planting with English garden design, letting visitors walk through cypresses and rose beds while experiencing the meeting of southern and northern traditions.
The gardens open to visitors daily while the villa itself operates as a hotel and is accessible only to guests. The main entrance sits in the old town of Ravello, from where a roughly ten-minute walk through narrow lanes leads uphill to the property.
Greta Garbo hid here from the public in 1938, spending several weeks with the conductor Leopold Stokowski. The stay remained secret at the time and only became known years later when locals told the story.
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