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Forestiere Underground Gardens

A gift from an Italian Immigrant

By Brenda ReevesPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Fresno lies in the middle of California in the San Joaquin Valley amid some of the richest farmland in the nation. It’s also home to a unique landmark built by one man.

Forestiere Underground Gardens has remained in the Forestiere family for over 100 years after the creator began constructing it. Declared California Landmark №916, the family generously shares this jewel in the desert with the public.

Baldassare Forestiere Courtesy of the Forestiere Family

The Man From Sicily

Baldassare Forestiere left his Sicilian homeland in 1901 with a desire to escape his wealthy, domineering father and a dream to forge his own way in America. Traveling from New York to Los Angeles, he eventually landed in Fresno, home to some of the richest farmland and hottest summer weather in the nation.

Intent on growing trees and vines, Forestiere purchased a parcel of land. He quickly realized the land he owned consisted of solid plate hardpan rock. Undeterred and desperate to escape the staggering summer heat, Forestiere changed his plans and created a remarkable underground oasis that he intended to turn into a spa for the public. He spent 40 years chiseling out of the rock a subterranean network of over a hundred niches, courtyards, patios, rooms, and passageways that became his home. Little did he know that thousands of tourists would visit and marvel over his remarkable creation more than one hundred years after he began building it.

Baldassare Forestiere Courtesy of the Forestiere Family

Renaissance Man

Forestiere long admired the catacombs constructed by Christians in ancient Rome. Instead of a Christian burial ground, he dug out a subterranean arboretum with well-lit courtyards, bedrooms, skylights, living rooms, a kitchen, and a chapel. A pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow were his only tools. A desire to escape the infernal heat of Fresno turned into a lifelong hobby.

Not only was he a self-taught engineer, architect, artist, and builder but a natural horticulturist as well. He grew a multitude of fruit-bearing plants such as oranges, grapefruits, kumquats, loquats, jujube, strawberry, quince, and dates in his oasis. Wine and table grapes grew throughout this fantasy land as well.

Forestiere did all of this in his spare time without any plans. Like a writer without an outline, he labored every day for forty years from the age of 22 until his death at the age of 62. He had excavated and planted 10 acres of underground land by the time he reached the age of 44, and he did it all by hand.

Comfort Underground

Understandably, Forestiere preferred living in his cool underground oasis during the summer months. He insured his comfort all year long by building a summer and winter bedroom, a parlor with a fireplace, a courtyard with a bath, and a well-equipped kitchen styled after early 20th century standards. The sign situated in the space that used to be his aquarium reads: “He had a table and chairs under his aquarium where he would sit and read. Looking up, he could see the fish swimming overhead.” He managed the chilling winter weather by covering the skylights with glass, installing a glass door and windows, and lighting the fireplace.

Encircling the living quarters, he included stonework, scallop-shaped seats carved into the walls, arches, vaults, stone-built walls, and passageways. Fruit-producing trees, shrubs, and vines were planted underground at various levels in microclimates with temperatures varying from 10 to 30 degrees. Some of these plants are over 90 years old.

A Gift From an Italian Immigrant

Although it’s privately owned, the Forestiere family generously shares the gardens with the world. In 2010 visitors from all 50 states and 84 countries toured the gardens. Baldassare Forestiere left his legacy to Fresno.

If you want to visit Forestiere Underground Gardens, you’ll find it at 5021 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722. Phone: 559–271–0734 Call for reservations.

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About the Creator

Brenda Reeves

I'm a writer, visual artist, animal lover and free spirit. Minimalism is my motto. I recently sold my car and live with the bare necessities of life. It's the only way to be truly free in this world of chaos.

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