Cimbronium was the ancient name of the promontory with a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Salerno on which stands the splendid Villa Cimbrone, another of Ravello's jewels.
Built in the 11th century where it was already a building from the Roman era, the villa was owned over time by some of the most prominent families in the city. But it was in poor condition when, in 1904, it was bought by Ernest William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, who oversaw the renovation of the entire complex, including the magnificent six-hectare garden. To create the park, he made use of the best British experts and the English gardener Vita Sackville-West. The garden was enriched with rare plants, statues, fountains, caves and Gothic and neoclassical architectural elements. Great care was also dedicated to the botanical restyling, which represents a happy harmonization of the classic Italian garden with the natural characteristics of the English garden. After transforming the villa into a 5-star hotel, the garden is now open to the public and can be visited all year round.
You can admire the spectacular panorama up to the Cilento coast from the famous Terrace on Infinity. It is adorned with eighteenth-century marble busts, placed among the luxuriant Mediterranean scrub, brooms and scented lemons.
To reach the panoramic terrace, take Viale dell'Immenso, under a flourishing pergola of wisteria sinensis, between rows ofpine and plane trees. There is a rare 150-year-old nolina recurvata. A classic temple with the statue of a dancing Bacchus is surrounded by lavender bushes, which spread their scents in the air. In the shade of magnificent specimens of holm oaks, alders and chestnuts, we meet the Grotta di Eva. It is a natural cavity embellished with a sculpture depicting Eve by Adamo Tadolini, a pupil of Canova.
In the park there is a corner where orchids grow spontaneously. There is also a garden of succulents and exotic plants. The statues of Flora and Leda accompany visitors among the geometric flowerbeds which house a vast collection of roses, with copious colored blooms from May to October. Another avenue lined with hydrangeas winds through giant dahlias, peonies, Banksian roses, magnolia and gingko biloba trees, under a pergola supported by terracotta columns in a Renaissance style.
The park is open daily from 9am to sunset.
