Casino di Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi, 16th-century palace in Ludovisi, Italy
The Casino di Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi is a 16th-century palace standing at Rome's highest elevation, spreading across three floors of decorated rooms. Frescoes and painted ceilings throughout the building showcase the artistic refinement typical of the Renaissance period.
Cardinal Francesco Maria Del Monte founded this palace in 1570 before selling it to Ludovico Ludovisi, whose uncle became Pope Gregory XV in 1621. This church connection elevated the property's importance and its artistic commissions for centuries to come.
Caravaggio painted the only ceiling work of his career here, showing Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto in a composition rarely seen from this master. Guercino's famous Aurora fresco dominates the main hall with its dynamic representation of dawn.
The Villa Aurora section opens only by guided tour with advance booking, allowing you to see the artworks and architectural details in scheduled visits. Plan ahead to check availability since access is limited and visits must be arranged beforehand.
The property is valued at approximately 470 million euros, making it one of Italy's most valuable private residences, chiefly due to its art collection. This extraordinary valuation reflects how crucial the masterpieces gathered here are to the nation's artistic heritage.
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