Villa del Vascello, 17th-century villa on Gianicolo hill in Rome, Italy
Villa del Vascello is a 17th-century residence on the Gianicolo hill featuring an unusual ship-like design that catches the eye. The building contains three main floors, a mezzanine level, and an upper floor, all surrounded by gardens and water features.
The brothers Basilio and Plautilla Bricci designed this residence in 1663 for Abbot Elpidio Benedetti, a man connected to the French court. During a major military siege in 1849, the structure suffered significant damage and underwent partial rebuilding.
The villa served as a gathering place for artists in the 1600s, where talented painters created works that decorated its walls and rooms. Today, visitors can sense the creative atmosphere that once filled these spaces during Rome's artistic height.
The villa sits on a hill, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for climbing when you visit. Some rooms are tighter in space, so plan to move through them at an easy pace.
The building served as a final defense position during a 1849 siege and still bears marks from that turbulent time. Scars in the stone and repaired sections tell the story of this dramatic chapter in the villa's past.
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