With the revival of formal gardens in the first decades of the 20th century, the Villa d'Este became once more a source of inspiration for architects and landscape designers, particularly British and Americans who had studied in Roman academies. Back in their own countries they put the principles they had learnt into practice.
The Villa d'Este is one of the most refined and complete examples of Italian Renaissance civilization.

Pegasus fountain

It is most of all an unrivalled example of an 16th century Italian garden, representing, with its architectural works (palace, fountains, loggias, nymphaea, and grottoes) and precious decorations (such as the pictorial cycles painted by famous artists from the Roman Mannerist school, such as Federico Zuccari and Girolamo Muziano), one of the most fascinating accomplishments of Italian Renaissance architecture.

Besides bearing witness to the learning and refinement of its creator, today the Villa d'Este still represents an exceptional synthesis of the values of an epoch, combining elements ranging from architectural styles to the humanities, from science to antiquarian passion, from hydraulics to complex iconology.