THE FORESTIERE UNDERGROUND GARDENS of Fresno, CA are the 40 year labor of love modeled after ancient catacombs.
Located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue in Fresno, California they are an unusual manmade creation built by Baldasare Forestiere (1879--1946), an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to until his death in 1946. The gardens, while subterranean, have many skylights and catchbasins for water.
There are a wide variety of hybrids and grafted trees, and the underground temperature helps guard against frost.
It is operated by members of the Forestiere family through the Forestiere Historical Center, and can be considered a spectacular and unconventional example of vernacular architecture.
Baldassare Forestiere was a Self - taught Artist, Architect, Engineer, Horticulturist and Builder.
The Forestiere Underground Gardens
are located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722-5026
and are open March thru November
for tours.
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