Villa Torlonia, Renaissance villa in Frascati, Italy
Villa Torlonia is a Renaissance mansion in Frascati with multiple levels of stepped gardens flowing down the hillside. The property features fountains, sculptures, and architectural details from the Renaissance and Baroque periods arranged throughout the grounds.
The original property was given in 1563 to scholar Annibal Caro, who spent his final years translating the Aeneid there. The estate later passed to the powerful Torlonia family, from whom it took its present name.
The name Villa Torlonia reflects the family that owned and shaped the estate for generations. Visitors today can see how the gardens and structures show the lifestyle and taste of the nobility who lived here.
The grounds have been open to the public since 1954 following a land exchange between Duke Andrea Torlonia and the Mayor of Frascati. Visitors should be prepared for sloping terrain and stepping paths typical of the hillside location.
During World War II the building suffered heavy bombing damage and housed an SS detachment, a dark chapter in its long history. Traces of this period remain visible on some structures, serving as reminders of the difficult times the region endured.
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