Villa Carpegna

In the heart of the Aurelio district is Villa Carpegna. Its origins date back to the late 17th century and are linked to the ancient family from Montefeltro, from which it takes its name. In 1684, the rich and powerful cardinal Gaspare Carpegna bought a vineyard near some lands that already belonged to the family. Here, a few years later, he had the Casino Nobile and a marvellous Nymphaeum built, based on a project by Giovanni Antonio de Rossi - his trusted architect.

Passionate collector, the cardinal kept in the Casino, his residence of delights, a valuable collection of ancient sculptures and coins.On his death, the collections passed to the Vatican Museums, whereas the library was sold. The villa went under renovation works in the 19th century, when the Falconieri family bought it. A delightful sitting room painted in Pompeian style on the ground floor and a service building, a farmhouse used as servant's quarters, were realized. At the beginning of the 20th century, the property passed to the Dutch baroness Catherine von Scheyns, who hosted an international salon. The noblewoman had relevant changes carried out. The façades were painted red and decorated with white floral motifs in an Art Nouveau style. The entrance was decorated with a mosaic floor and a tempera with plant images; the 19th-century farmhouse was enlarged and transformed into a real guest house.

The 18th-century Casino Nobile, with a rectangular plan, was probably enlarged and rebuilt on a 16th-century previous building. It consists of a central body with a large arched entrance and two symmetrical side wings crowned by two turrets. Inside, the gallery on the first floor features magnificent frescoes depicting the Carpegna estates in Montefeltro, the work by Pier Francesco Garoli, "perpetual master in perspective" of the Academy of San Luca.

To the left of the Casino is a large lawn; behind the building, there is the lush park of oaks and pines that enclose the garden. Here, a paved path leads to the belvedere overlooking the monumental Nymphaeum through a system of fountains. Called "Grotta dell'Asino" (Cave of the Donkey), it is a building with a loggia, on the sides of which two Baroque-style stairways rise. The Nymphaeum has an arched entrance - adorned with small, flat pebbles and tuff rocks - which leads to a room with a vault cross.

Purchased in 1978 by the Municipality of Rome, today Villa Carpegna is a splendid public park. Currently, the Casino Nobile is home to the Quadriennale di Roma, one of the most prestigious contemporary art institutions of the 20th century. The 19th-century farmhouse houses the Quadriennale Archive Library.

Photo: Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali