European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 07, 1980, Darmstadt, Hesse Vol Fly. A a. A off a Flat a Hafk 9m& to a pc amt my a a i. We a nil Iii chips off the old Block pinocchio mementos Are big in Collodi Italy. Pinocchio s Biinte place is photo by Stephanie James stories by Ann Keays staff writer is a charming italian Village with a turbulent history. It is also an out of the Way spot where visitors May find sights and sounds As melodious As the Village name. On any misty Spring or summer morning As the Sun s Rajs struggle to highlight its wooded hillsides. Collodi s Cili ens prepare for their tourists. The town Bills itself As i pinocchio s Birthplace and in deed the shops lining the narrow streets overflow1 with Long nosed wooden puppets and Blue haired children from the classic tale. Hut lil lagers arc Quick to paint to other historical and Scenic attractions of the area. Collodi traces its name to roman limes when As a walled fortified town inhabited by goths it was a Strate Gic stronghold thai Many sought. After its capture by roman forces it grew in import through the centuries. Collodi is now a peaceful farming Community. During the medieval period Nobles of the Gar one family from the surrounding area acquired land in Collo original chateaus of the Gar onis italian plural of Gar one provided the foundation for an 18th Century Castle built by family descendants. Known As the Castle of the Hundred windows and the Villa of the Long the 18th Century Struc Ture is surrounded by Lush gardens dating from the 17th Century. say the Sun always sets later in Collodi than elsewhere and the Many Castle windows re duct its Renaissance and baroque style Villa contains Price less frescoes paintings and furniture. Heavy baroque molding crowned with ornate garlands decorates chateau rooms dwarfed by vaulted ceilings. The Kitchen where Carlo Collodi entertained Village children Wilh tales of i pinocchio has a rustic fireplace and a selection of antique accessories. Below the Castle ils harmonious gardens offer a special Delight to world car adults who and in escape the noise and turmoil of modern life. Garzony gardens stretch up the Hill to cd cuckoo Birds murmur softly among the Trees. Rose Pink camellias drop delicate petals to shadowed path ways. The Melody of Cool streams and Springs echoes through Bamboo Groves. The scent of Lemon and Orange Trees permeates the air. And crouching amid the shrubs and Palm Trees. There Are enough sculpted critters and varmints to populate any child s nightmares. It s been said that the gardens which took 170 years and three generations to Complete Are a Cross Between myth and fairytale. Apollo Daphne Bacchus. Ceres and Hercules recline in sheltered niches or sunny clearings. Satyrs leering monkeys and grotesque creatures abound. Tritons pour water from sea shells in Neptune s Grotto. Tiered waterfalls separate a double Slone staircase on the Hillside and Oiler types of Tangerine hued Carp Darl around Moss carpeted pools or Dodge the Spray of water jets. The Garden Scales the Hillside to the chateau in cling ing plots of perennial plants mid Dowers surging fountains and fantasy world figures. The Garden s entry courtyard is filled with a Gulcis. Primroses irises tulips and hanging lilacs. There Are peacocks pheasants and exotic caged Birds. And in one of the to circular pools a Swan glides to the water s Edge to nip at visitors or extends its beak to make nibbling chewing motions for food. Gravelled paths Lead to mosaic finished supporting Walls below the hanging gardens. Mosaic designs include a Star of David created in Rusl Olive and Salmon coloured pebbles. Nature trails Circle around quiet Glens and a children s theater where Small Shell shaped chairs arc topped by winged Griffins. Admission to Giardino Garden in Halian Gar oni Collodi is 2,000 lire Aboul. 50 for adults. There arc reduced rates for military personnel and for groups of 30 or More children up to 3 years of age Are admitted free and there arc reduced Rales for children up to age i 3. The gardens Are open 8 a m. To Sunset. One of the mosaics at the fantasy i shark that swallowed Repetto is among Pogo 1-t the stars and stripes
