Villa Aurelia, 17th-century villa on Janiculum Hill, Rome, Italy

Villa Aurelia is a 17th-century residence situated at one of the highest points within Rome's ancient walls, offering multiple gardens with views across the city's skyline. The building features a main hall seating 190 guests, three interconnected rooms on the Noble Floor, and several outdoor spaces for events.

Cardinal Girolamo Farnese built the casino between 1650 and 1667 above an ancient tower of the Aurelian Walls, costing 40,000 scudi. The Farnese family owned it until 1731, when it passed to the Bourbons of Naples, who rented it out. In 1849 Garibaldi used it as headquarters during the French siege of the Roman Republic, and it was heavily bombarded. Clara Jessup Heyland bought it in 1885 and left it to the American Academy in Rome in 1909.

The name Villa Aurelia comes from Clara Jessup Heyland, the American owner who bought the property in 1885 and gave it her own name. Since 1909 the American Academy in Rome has housed there the winners of its Rome Prize, in classical studies, medieval history, Italian studies, architecture, design, landscape architecture, conservation and the contemporary arts, literature and music.

The property sits on the Janiculum Hill and requires climbing to reach, so visitors should allow time to explore the different levels and gardens. It is helpful to confirm in advance which areas are accessible during a visit and how much time to set aside for viewing the spaces.

The Casino Farnese was built over one of the ancient towers of the Aurelian Walls, so it resembled a loggia more than a residence. A small section of the walls was uncovered in the villa's substructure during restoration work begun in 2000 and completed two years later.