Villa Farnesina, located in the charming Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, is a magnificent off-the-beaten-path museum that often goes unnoticed by tourists. This stunning villa was designed by artist-architect Baldasarre Peruzzi for Agostino Chigi, a wealthy Sienese banker and patron of the arts. The villa was built between 1506 and 1510 as a place for Chigi to entertain Roman VIPs in a bright, airy space infused with Renaissance beauty....
Villa Farnesina, Rome's Hidden Gem
Villa Farnesina, located in the charming Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, is a magnificent off-the-beaten-path museum that often goes unnoticed by tourists. This stunning villa was designed by artist-architect Baldasarre Peruzzi for Agostino Chigi, a wealthy Sienese banker and patron of the arts. The villa was built between 1506 and 1510 as a place for Chigi to entertain Roman VIPs in a bright, airy space infused with Renaissance beauty.
A Pleasure Palace
Chigi wanted his villa to evoke the classical world, filled with star-studded art, rare plants, marble, and antique statues. The sumptuous villa was purely for pleasure and hedonistic activity. To inaugurate their new love nest, Chigi hired Raphael to paint the story of Cupid and Psyche, a narrative referencing his love for Francesca Ordeaschi.
Mythological Frescoes
The paintings in Villa Farnesina depict the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the Golden Ass, an ancient Roman novel by Apuleius. The most famous fresco is Raphael's Council of the Gods, where the gods determine whether Psyche can be immortalized. Another notable work is Sebastiano del Piombo's Polyphemus.
A Hidden Treasure
Villa Farnesina is a wildly inventive and theatrical feat of both architecture and decoration. The interior of the villa is surprisingly richly decorated with frescoes by major artists, such as Raphael, Sebastiano del Piombo, and Peruzzi. On the first floor, there are particularly striking frescoes in the Sala di Galatea, one of Raphael’s most important works. The room's décor is based on the optical illusion created by the frescoes that show the city of Rome through the marble columns.
Visiting Villa Farnesina
Although the building is of unremarkable size and its exterior is not particularly striking, the reason for visiting lies in the frescoes that cover the ceilings and walls that decorate the interior of the villa. The villa's
opening hours are from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online in advance.
Other Hidden Gems in Rome
If you're looking for more hidden gems in Rome, consider visiting the Borghese Gallery, a beautifully decorated building that also houses different works of art. Another option is the Villa of Livia, an ancient Roman villa with remarkable frescoes of garden views.
Conclusion
Villa Farnesina is one of Rome's most unique and beautiful buildings, a wildly inventive and theatrical feat of both architecture and decoration. This hidden gem should not be missed by anyone visiting Rome. To learn more about Villa Farnesina and other hidden gems in Rome, visit
ArtsDot.com.
Villa Farnesina (Rome, Italy)