Giardini La Mortella
- Indirizzo: Via Francesco Calise, 45 - 80075 Forio
- Contatti: T. +39 081986220
William Walton (Oldham, England, 1902 - Forio d'Ischia 1983) was one of the leading English musicians of the twentieth century. The artist settled on the island of Ischia in 1949 near the characteristic village of Forio, where he finished in 1983. "La Mortella" is the splendid garden, now open to the public, created by Susana Walton, William's Argentine wife.
In 1956 the famous landscape architect Russell Page designed the layout of the garden integrating it among the picturesque rock formations of volcanic origin. La Mortella is divided into two parts: a lower garden, called "Valle", and a higher garden on the hill. The entire surface extends for about 2 hectares and houses a collection that boasts more than 3000 species of rare exotic plants. There are countless collections of giant water lilies, orchids, palms, cycads, tree ferns placed in tropical greenhouses and aviaries.
Everything is designed with skillful skill and is enriched by fountains, pools and streams that allow the cultivation of a superb collection of aquatic plants including papyrus, lotus flower and tropical water lilies. The various areas of the garden are connected by a series of avenues and paths that from terrace to terrace lead the visitor upwards, up to the splendid views overlooking the bay of Forio.
A corner of the garden full of beautiful lotus flowers houses the Sala Thai, a Thai meditation place that is a pleasant stop for visitors. The museum houses a prestigious collection of images made by the great Cecil Beaton, the artist photographer who crossed all the avant-gardes of the last century. Even the famous designer Lele Luzzatti has left his delightful testimony, creating an imaginative and colorful theater.
At the disposal of visitors, among other things, there is a tea room, shop, free parking. The garden is also equipped to accommodate disabled people.
During the year a rich program of classical music concerts takes place in collaboration with national and international conservatories and music schools.
