Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno (must see)

The Forestiere Underground Gardens, created by Italian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere, between 1906 and 1946, are a remarkable subterranean architectural wonder. These gardens, currently managed by the Forestiere family through the Forestiere Historical Center, represent an extraordinary blend of history, ingenuity, and horticultural innovation.

Baldassare Forestiere, born in Sicily in 1879, came to the United States in the early 1900s. After acquiring land in Fresno, he encountered challenging soil and hot summers. Seeking relief from the heat, he initially dug a small cellar but expanded it into a network of interconnected underground chambers, inspired by Roman catacombs and wine cellars.

Forestiere's innovative approach extended to growing trees underground with skylights, providing protection from frost. Over the years, he continuously expanded and improved the underground gardens, employing hand tools and mules.

Today, the Forestiere Underground Gardens comprise 65 rooms, including bedrooms, a kitchen, a bath, and a parlor with a fireplace. The site features stone walls, archways, grottoes, and courtyards illuminated by strategically placed skylights. Spanning 10 acres and three levels, the gardens offer a unique atmosphere and airflow design.

The gardens host a variety of plants and trees, some over a century old, protected from winter frost. Grafted trees produce different types of fruit, including citrus, berries, kumquats, loquats, and jujubes. Vines and trees above the dwelling serve as insulation and weather protection.

Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and California Historical Landmark No. 916 in 1978, the Forestiere Underground Gardens showcase Baldassare Forestiere's remarkable vision and determination, blending nature and architecture in an extraordinary underground setting.