Villa Mills, Historical building on Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy
Villa Mills was a building on Palatine Hill standing between Via di San Bonaventura and Via dei Cerchi, constructed directly above the ancient Roman structures of Domus Augustana and Domus Flavia. The site contained a Renaissance loggia with elaborately decorated rooms and was later partially replaced by a 19th-century structure that now houses the Palatine Museum.
Originally called Villa Mattei al Palatino, the building stood on land that belonged to Cardinal Alessandro Farnese's gardens before being demolished in the early 1900s. The Renaissance phase of the site marked an important moment when ancient Roman remains were incorporated into private gardens and dwellings.
The Renaissance loggia held frescoes by Baldassarre Peruzzi showing zodiac signs, muses, and classical subjects painted by artists connected to Raphael's circle. These decorations reflected the taste of educated collectors who lived at the property during the 1500s.
The site now functions as an archaeological area with the Palatine Museum housed in a 19th-century structure built by the Visitation sisters. Visitors can explore the location as part of the larger Palatine Hill site, with remains visible in the open air.
Charles Mills and archaeologist William Gell purchased the property in 1818 and added British architectural elements that made it resemble a Delhi bungalow. This unusual blend of Roman history and colonial design disappeared when the building was demolished.
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