In 1786, while visiting the Giusti Garden in Verona, Goethe was struck by the cypresses there, which he thought resembled the sharp tools used by shoemakers called “stitching awls”.
The beautiful garden was created in the 15th century, but was perfected only approximately a century later, in 1570, by Tuscan aristocrat Agostino Giusti.
The trees, reaching straight for the sky, deeply inspired Goethe. In his “Elective Affinities”, the German writer noted, “a plant is like a self-willed man, out of whom we can obtain all which we desire, if we will only treat him his own way”. He also added, “A calm eye, a silent method, in all seasons of the year, and at every hour, to do exactly what has then to be done, is required of no one perhaps more than of a gardener”.
Those tending this park certainly fulfill all the requirements set by the demanding and passionate traveler-poet: the geometry of the Italian garden is perfect, and the statues dotting the lawns and pathways simply excellent.
And today, the magnificent cypresses that reach for the sky continue to inspire visitors from all over the world.
Photos via:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carmenbrown-fine-art/3491160659
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34553799@N02/3214650677
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkparrott/9094576089
http://www.flickr.com/photos/m_strasser/13932215864
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simon_douglas/2624916702
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasfrejek/347913629
The cypresses in the Giusti Garden and Goethe
