Domus medici
The first is decorated with frescoes that make the room look like it’s an aviary. The small study of Ferdinando included two rooms which will take your breath away. This study included a secret door which opens directly to the countryside, so rumors were he invited people in secret to spend time together in his private rooms. What was this “small study” for? In the 1500s many patrons had small rooms where they could escape their everyday lives and relax in secret. You can find this in the garden, it is a separate structure from the Villa itself. The “studiolo” (small study) of the Cardinal Ferdinando de Medici, is one of the highlights of this wonderful place. The small study of the Cardinal Ferdinando de Medici This group of sculptures was found in the 1500s in the area of the Horti Lamiani, where this is believed to belong. Such as this beautiful group of sculptures, with the scene of the massacre of the Niobids, carried out by Apollo and Artemis to take revenge for the offences towards their mother.
#DOMUS MEDICI MOVIE#
The wonders you will find in this garden have also been filmed in the movie “The Great Beauty” by Sorrentino. The goal is to have a little production at the Villa.
![domus medici domus medici](https://www.domusmedicus.no/pictures/domus-medicus-house.jpg)
The garden of Villa Medici also includes some fruit plants to produce apples, pears, and vineyards. This is where the artists of the Academy live and work. This beautiful garden can only be partially visited, because it’s a private area. The massacre of the Niobids, found in the Horti Lamiani The artists live and work inside the villa and in the garden! (I’ll tell you more about the artists later in this article) In fact, also the artists of the Academy have the privilege to temporarily move to this wonderful location. The position of Director is considered a political office, and the president of France contributes to the election of the Director.Īnyway, to live in Villa Medici, you do not necessarily have to be the Director of the Academy. The Director of the Academy of France lives in Villa Medici. Today villa Medici is a private villa, which still belongs to the Academy of France. The Habsburg-Lorraine put the property on sale, and guess who buys it? Napoleon! Napoleon buys Villa Medici to house the headquarters of the Academy of France. Villa Medici remains abandoned and when the Medici family is extinguished, the property goes to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. He therefore moves back home, abandoning his clerical career (which he did not start voluntarily). Many of them come from Ancient Roman ruins, such as the garlands of the Ara Pacis of Augustus and the Arcus Novus of Diocletian (an arch which used to be on the modern via del Corso).ġ0 years after the construction of Villa Medici, the cardinal Ferdinando was elected Grand Duke of Tuscany.
![domus medici domus medici](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cd/0a/c7/cd0ac79066e03a3ef1ec94702e590757.jpg)
How beautiful is this facade, so richly decorated? Right on top of the main arch you can see the emblem of the Medici family, the six spheres.Īnd all over the facade you will notice an incredible amount of stuccos and decorations. Quite different from the glamorous landscape we see today! You must imagine that the area of Piazza di Spagna at the time was countryside. Villa Medici in Rome was built by the cardinal Ferdinando de’ Medici, son of Cosimo I, who at 20 years old moved to Rome and settled in this area of the city. Some of them made it to Rome, providing the city also with a Pope, Leo X (1513-1521). The Medici’s have been an influential noble family that in the 1400s ruled over Florence, promoting and boosting the arts and culture in the city. The Villa takes its name from the famous Medici family. And this already gives you a hint of the views you will get from there.
![domus medici domus medici](https://planeffect.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Domus_Medica_Utrecht_3.jpg)
Villa Medici is on the top of the Pincian hill (Pincio, in Italian), one of the wonderful panoramic points of Rome. Because here you’ll find the heavenly Villa Medici in Rome. And this makes them even more special! After taking a pic or two on the Spanish Steps, you should walk up the staircase and turn to the left. The best hidden gems are always next to the most known places of a city.