Exquisite Sights, Sounds and Scents in a World Renowned Botanical Garden

By J Lee Barton 

“ A Beautiful garden does not need to be big, but it should be the realization of ones dream”
Captain Neil McEacham, the creator of Villa Taranto 

Nestled between the Alps and Lake Maggiore, just on the outskirts of the town of Pallanza, lies one of Europe’s finest botanical gardens, Villa Taranto. Entering the front gates of the garden propels the visitor into a bloom filled world, with terraced water gardens, waterfalls, lotus pools, and exotic varieties of flora from all over the globe. Shades of violet, crimson, honey yellows, and magenta are all framed with golden filtered light through branches hand picked by the master of this unique magical place, Captain Neil Boyd McEacham.

Captain McEacham was born on October 28, 1884 in Garlieston, Scotland to a wealthy shipping family, who had interests in mining as well as land in Australia.  Even as a child his interests lie in Botany and with his first visit to Italy with his family at the age of eight, the die was cast.  After finishing his studies at Eton and Oxford Universities he began his research in Italy to find the perfect place to fulfil his dream of creating a garden that would remind him of his native Scotland, but with the serenity and hues that only Italy could offer.

After two years of research he found his dream in La Crocetta, a property that he purchased from the Maquis of Sant’Elia.   Soon after, began the transformation visitors from all over the world enjoy today.  The garden was completed in 1940 after many years of laborious work creating ideal soil and environmental conditions for over 1,000 varieties of plants and trees, which do not usually inhabit this microclimate and over 20,000 varieties in total. Having at last fulfilled his dream, the Captain named his garden after his ancestor Marshall McDonald, who was bestowed the Dukedom of Taranto by Napoleon.

Water flowers known to ancient Egypt, walkways lined with heather, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias, a dahlia garden , a rose garden, acres and acres of lush manicured green and of course the Villa which was the residence of the Captain are  just some of the inspiring encounters. The Villa is not open to the public, but with vistas of the Alps in the background and the stunning water gardens in the foreground, this is a photographers dream come true.

The garden remained private for many years, however, to make sure the garden would remain as it is for future generations and through great generosity, the Captain gave the garden and villa to the Italian State.  On April 18th 1964 Captain McEacham passed away on his veranda overlooking his beloved gardens.  He is interred in an elegant stone and stained glass Mausoleum within the gardens, which overlooks a lovely fountain and is well worth a visit to take in some of the history of this amazing man.

This garden is on the state ferry route of Lake Maggiore, which leaves from the main dock in Stresa approximately every hour during the day.  For 10Euros you may discover the delights of the Borromeo Islands as well as this botanical masterpiece and other small villages, which ring the lake, via ferry. There is an entrance fee to the gardens of 8.50 Euros for adults and 5.50 Euros for children aged from 6-14.  Small children and the disabled are admitted free of charge.

For more information on Villa Taranto and surrounds please visit www.villataranto.it and www.visitstresa.org . Villa Taranto and the very special promontory on which it resides will bring a serenity and poetry to your soul unlike anything you may have experienced before.