PIERO'S SECRET GARDEN

PIERO'S SECRET GARDEN

It takes a while for people to get to know each other well enough to share their secrets. And when the people in question don't speak the same language or have anything apparent in common, well, that just delays the sharing.

So it was with Piero and his garden. It took a little while for the other residents in our apartment building to discover that we were nice enough people. We didn't make a lot of noise or trash the place or complain. We planted flowers in the empty pots along the common terrace. We said “Buon Giorno” and “Buona Sera” at the appropriate moments. When asked, we explained why we were here in Soriano, and that we were staying for a while and gradually the neighbors warmed to us. Eventually,we got to know every one of the year-round residents(the seasonal owners still look upon us with a critical eye)

We discovered that our building was originally a hotel owned by Piero's family. He grew up there. Piero converted the hotel into a condominium when he retired. Now half the building is occupied by his family (in separate apartments) In the ravine across the street a horse grazes at will. Turns out the horse belongs to Piero's grandson. The ravine belongs to Piero. We're told that, at one time, Piero's family owned most of this mountain. Apparently,Piero still has claim to a good part of it.

Invisible from steet level, a series of steps and slopes lead to a magnificent garden. An unrestored 3 story building on the property was once the stables where the local baron kept his horses (we wonder if Piero is descended from the Baron. ) A stone terrace accommodates about a dozen marble tables under intricately worked wrought-iron framed tents. Not an official event location, Piero's family uses it in the summer and he makes it available to friends who are celebrating christenings, weddings and other warm-weather celebrations.

One recent evening, Piero invited us to see the garden. He went down ahead of us to turn on the lights and the fountain and we were amazed and bewitched by this absolute treasure that has been right under our noses for 6 months. Piero invited us make ourselves at home in the garden any time we like.

I am sitting at one of the marble tables, in the shade of the tent, looking out over the classic Soriano vista with the Orsini castle at its peak. The weather is very hot, but a gentile breeze is keeping the leaves swaying and the air cool. There couldn't be a more delightful place to spend a warm summer afternoon.