"According to Greek mythology, Hercules, the son of Jupiter, wanted to honor Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, with an incredible gift: the hide of the Nemean lion, invincible to all earthly weapons until finally killed with Hercules' bare hands. Arriving at Lestrigoni, where Demeter lived, Hercules created from the parched soil the lake that bears his name: Lacuus Erculeus. At the conclusion of his venture, the nearby city became known as Leontio. In the succeeding centuries, both the city and the surrounding region were renamed Biviere, derived from the arabic word "Veverè": a fish-pond for animals.
The state archives of Palermo houses the original document The Edict of King Martin that in 1392 granted "Il Biviere di Lentini" in feudal estate to the maternal ancestors of Scipione Borghese, who ultimately became the proprietor of the land. From 1393 to today, the estate has undergone many transformations, among which are the restorations begun in 1930, until they became the residence of Scipione and Maria Carla Borghese in 1968.
Scipione is not with us anymore but his soul is alive and present among the colours and scents of our beloved garden.
Once a desolate place surrounded by stones and dust, today it has become - thanks to a passion for beautiful plant life - a unique and very special Mediterranean garden. The dusty stones have given way to the fertile land that for thousands of years has held back the waters of the lake. The memories of the past have taken a different turn, no longer deprived of feelings; rather, they are inextricably tied to the reality that surrounds them.The ancient port facing south, now closed by massive boulders cut by hand, has become a charming green space, an invitation to the main entrance of "Case del Biviere." On the restored piers, which were done with particular care and attention to detail, one finds an extraordinary collection of succulent plants -- imported from diverse and distant countries - that almost forms a gangway of botanical statuary.
Visitors can immerse themselves in open spaces in harmony with the colors and fragrances of oranges, jasmine and the poetic flight of fancy known for centuries only to those who have loved this land. Perhaps elsewhere the rapid passage of time can be justified, but here among these glorious fragrances and colors, it finds reason and joy in a slower pace, basking in the intensity of moments filled with beauty and tranquility. Here, too, we find that we have discovered a very special place, lost somewhere between reality and history. It's almost as if the goddess Demeter herself has decided today to make "Case del Biviere" her divine home once again.
