Junio Valerio Borghese

Those who have read Bianca’s Vineyard may want to know more about Armida’s real-life employer, Junio Valerio Borghese (aka “The Black Prince”).

There is a wealth of information on-line about Borghese, but a short article in The Florentine, a publication of Florence, Italy, encapsulates his controversial life quite well.  Do read it here.

Several years ago, our family traveled to Lago d’Iseo and saw Borghese’s palatial villa on San Paolo Island.  Standing there, gazing out on the serene lake surrounded by such magnificent natural beauty, truly brought Armida’s story home to me.

Borghese Villa, Lago d'Iseo