Villa d’Este, Tivoli…a 16th c water park

Cardinal Ippolito d’Este built this ostentatious villa and terraced gardens. The fame and glory of the Villa d'Este was above all established by its extraordinary system of fountains; fifty-one fountains and nymphaeums, 398 spouts, 364 water jets, 64 waterfalls, and 220 basins, fed by 875 metres of canals, channels and cascades, and all working entirely by the force of gravity, without pumps. Behind the perky daffodils are 3 fishponds, the fountain of Neptune, the Grotto of the Sybils and above is the Fountain of the organ — a water powered organ that plays music! Extra photos: Fountain of Organ — note organ pipes. Fountain of Neptune looking down toward the fish ponds.