Buzzi's "City"
Scarzuola - It isn't easy to describe Scarzuola. It's a garden. But it's also a 13th century Franciscan monastery. Then again you could call it an architectural folly, or a mannerist tour de force of esoteric symbolism, etc., etc.
Scarzuola, located in Umbria, is the creation of Tommaso Buzzi, an architect who bought an ancient Franciscan monastery (final photo) and its grounds in 1956, which he first restored before going on to plan and build his "ideal city". He worked on this for the next 20 years, attempting to unite nature and culture. This "city", which was never meant to be lived in, is entirely built of the local ochre colored tufa sandstone and can be viewed as a gigantic golden sculpture, utilizing unusual effects of scale, light, and perspective to great effect.
It contains numerous strange and non-functional rooms, nooks and crannies, but there is also an amphitheater used occasionally for concerts and plays. It is a delight to wander among the surrounding gardens, pergolas, ponds and fountains which are as mysterious and varied as the buildings.
Buzzi's "city" can only be visited in groups. If you are an artist or photographer, don't miss it! To reserve, tel.+39.0763.837463. The address: Localita Scarzuola, 05010 Montegabbione (Terni)