LA MORTELLA GARDENS
Latest update: 19 January 2024
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Known in English as "The Myrtle", La Mortella in Italian is the former home of English composer Sir William Walton and his Argentinian wife, Lady Susana Walton.
Shortly after World War Two, the couple moved to Ischia and eventually made their home on what is now the site of The Sir William Walton Foundation and La Mortella Gardens. |
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Opening times:
From Saturday 30 March to Sunday 3 November 2024 Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00 (last entry 16:00) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: Closed |
Prices:
Adults: €12 Children aged 12-18: €10 Children aged 6 - 11: €7 Children 5 and under: free Seniors over 70: €10 Concert ticket plus entry to the gardens: €20 |
Additional opening dates in 2024
In 2024 La Mortella will also be open on the following dates which all coincide with Italian national holidays:
Monday 1 April
Friday 26 April
Wednesday 1 May
Friday 1 November
Monday 1 April
Friday 26 April
Wednesday 1 May
Friday 1 November
Sir William and Lady Susana attracted a star-studded list of celebrities to their home such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Maria Callas to name but a few, and their fascinating former home and gardens can now be enjoyed by all.
In 1956, after having spent the previous 6 years divided between 6 month stints in London and Ischia, the couple decided to buy their new property at La Mortella. Having understood the potential of the site, they decided to call in landscape expert, Russell Page, who set about transforming the stone quarry on a volcanic hill, into a tropical garden paradise with an extraordinary and fascinating array of rare and exotic plant life.
In 1956, after having spent the previous 6 years divided between 6 month stints in London and Ischia, the couple decided to buy their new property at La Mortella. Having understood the potential of the site, they decided to call in landscape expert, Russell Page, who set about transforming the stone quarry on a volcanic hill, into a tropical garden paradise with an extraordinary and fascinating array of rare and exotic plant life.
The gardens at La Mortella as we see them today were a labour of love for the charismatic Susana Walton who opened their doors to the public in 1991. By now, the gardens represent more than 50 years of passion, dedication and care given to her life’s work and creation.
As a perfect complement to his wife’s efforts in the Gardens, Sir William Walton continued his work as one of the most important classical composers of his time, and it is to this that the foundation owes its musical legacy. With its own recital hall, the foundation is able to stage two seasons of chamber music concerts, one in the spring and another in the autumn where budding musicians from Italy and across the world perform around 70 concerts every year.
With La Mortella split into various levels, it is on the highest part of the garden that the open-air Greek theatre resides. Throughout the summer, audiences are able to enjoy the Youth Orchestra concerts while surrounded by China roses and aromatic herbs, and the visual backdrop of the bay of Forio behind the performers.
As a perfect complement to his wife’s efforts in the Gardens, Sir William Walton continued his work as one of the most important classical composers of his time, and it is to this that the foundation owes its musical legacy. With its own recital hall, the foundation is able to stage two seasons of chamber music concerts, one in the spring and another in the autumn where budding musicians from Italy and across the world perform around 70 concerts every year.
With La Mortella split into various levels, it is on the highest part of the garden that the open-air Greek theatre resides. Throughout the summer, audiences are able to enjoy the Youth Orchestra concerts while surrounded by China roses and aromatic herbs, and the visual backdrop of the bay of Forio behind the performers.
The unusual yet evocative mixture of tropical gardens and classical music helped La Mortella to win its award as “Il Più bel parco d’Italia” (most beautiful park in Italy) in 2004, after beating 100 nominated rivals in the Briggs and Stratton annual award.
Sadly, both Sir William Walton (1902-1983) and Lady Susana Walton (1926-2010) have now both passed away but their presence can still be felt in many ways when wandering around the gardens. There are memorials to both of them in the garden – an inscribed stone memorial that holds the ashes of the composer, and a beautiful and peaceful area that commemorates the life of Susana with pretty water features and a panoramic view of Forio in the distance. It is hard not to be moved by these memorials and also by the video which plays on a loop in the room next to the recital hall. The video shows Susana in full swagger, excitedly describing various features and plants in the gardens to an enrapt group of visitors. The enthusiasm with which Lady Walton describes the garden is infectious and indicative of the passion, care and attention that she so obviously devoted to the gardens.
La Mortella Gardens is one of the jewels of Ischia and is not to be missed by any visitor to the island. The lush tropical paradise is awash with fascinating plants, flowers, wildlife and colorful birds as well as the added interest of visiting the former home of this convivial and charismatic couple who lived their glamorous lives devoted to their individual arts of music and gardening.
More information about the Sir William Walton Foundation and La Mortella Gardens are available along with more images on their excellent website which is translated into English. Please click on the blue button at the bottom of this page. You will also find a link to our events calendar where you will find this year's schedule for the Festival of Youth Orchestra held at the gardens.
Sadly, both Sir William Walton (1902-1983) and Lady Susana Walton (1926-2010) have now both passed away but their presence can still be felt in many ways when wandering around the gardens. There are memorials to both of them in the garden – an inscribed stone memorial that holds the ashes of the composer, and a beautiful and peaceful area that commemorates the life of Susana with pretty water features and a panoramic view of Forio in the distance. It is hard not to be moved by these memorials and also by the video which plays on a loop in the room next to the recital hall. The video shows Susana in full swagger, excitedly describing various features and plants in the gardens to an enrapt group of visitors. The enthusiasm with which Lady Walton describes the garden is infectious and indicative of the passion, care and attention that she so obviously devoted to the gardens.
La Mortella Gardens is one of the jewels of Ischia and is not to be missed by any visitor to the island. The lush tropical paradise is awash with fascinating plants, flowers, wildlife and colorful birds as well as the added interest of visiting the former home of this convivial and charismatic couple who lived their glamorous lives devoted to their individual arts of music and gardening.
More information about the Sir William Walton Foundation and La Mortella Gardens are available along with more images on their excellent website which is translated into English. Please click on the blue button at the bottom of this page. You will also find a link to our events calendar where you will find this year's schedule for the Festival of Youth Orchestra held at the gardens.
