Villa Borghese in Rome is an 80-hectare park located right in the city center. It features not only 40 fountains but also 20 buildings, 18 monuments, countless sculptures, and a fantastic art gallery.
The Beginning
Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese created Villa Borghese, once known as Pinciana, in 1606. Starting with land near today’s Piazza di Siena, which had been in his family since 1580, he envisioned a grand estate that would reflect his wealth and taste for the arts. By 1609, builders completed the Casino Nobile, setting the foundation for a magnificent complex. An elegant addition to the estate, the Loggia dei Vini, was constructed between 1612 and 1618 as a graceful, oval-shaped pavilion.
Cardinal Borghese hosted his summer banquets and gatherings in this Baroque structure, which also included a grotto for wine storage. Ornate decorations and frescoes surrounded the guests. At the end of each feast, a mechanical device showered them with fragrant petals.
Baroque Architecture and Design
Designers Flaminio Ponzio, Giovanni Vasanzio (Jan Van Santen), Pietro, and Gianlorenzo Bernini connected the villa’s lands with fences, paths, and gardens. The Casino Nobile, a prime example of Baroque architecture, stands at the heart of the villa. Surrounding it are smaller buildings, fountains, and a beautiful garden divided into two parts: the “pars urbana,” featuring formal gardens, and the “pars rustica,” a more natural area primarily used for hunting.

Changes Under Prince Marcantonio IV
In 1766, Prince Marcantonio IV made significant changes to the villa. He oversaw the renovation of the Casino Nobile, the Orangery (also known as the Casino dei Giochi d’acqua), as well as the park. Architects Antonio and Mario Asprucci, along with a team of artists and gardeners, added scenic views, fountains, and small buildings. Notable additions included the Aqua Felix display, the Fountain of the Sea Horses, the Temple of Diana, the Tempio di Antonino e Faustina, and the Tempio di Asculapio.
Following Marcantonio IV, his sons Camillo and Francesco expanded the villa by purchasing nearby land, including villas like Giustiniani, Pamphili, and Manfroni. In the 1720s, Camillo hired Luigi Canina to unify the estate, adding even more buildings in eclectic and neoclassical styles. This period of expansion further solidified Villa Borghese as one of the grandest estates in Rome.
Villa Borghese and the Public
Villa Borghese became a popular spot for events and gatherings, as the Borghese family frequently opened the park to the public. In 1901, the Italian state purchased the villa and opened the Galleria Borghese museum by 1902. Then, in 1903, the city of Rome took over the park, making it accessible to the public. In 1908, workers built a bridge to connect the park to the Pincio terrace. Additionally, in 1911, they added a new garden and entrance, linking the villa to the growing Parioli and Flaminio neighborhoods. Over time, various nations gifted monuments to figures like Goethe, Victor Hugo, and Lord Byron, which were placed along the villa’s pathways, enhancing its cultural significance.

The Gardens and the Park: A Chance to Get Close to Nature
Villa Borghese in Rome spans 80 hectares, stretching between Porta Pinciana and Piazzale Flaminio, near the Salario and Pinciano areas. It showcases some of the city’s most beautiful landscapes, featuring ancient trees, lakes, and a blend of Italian and English gardens. Evergreen trees such as holm oaks, plane trees, and pines, along with shrubs like laurel and boxwood, fill the park. Originally, planners divided the park into three sections, each enclosed by walls with gates. The first section featured the garden near the Casino Nobile, the second transformed into what is now the Parco dei Daini, and the third, known as the Barco, served as a hunting area, stretching from Piazza di Siena to the Bioparco. Over the years, many artists have drawn inspiration from the park, which has also influenced music and literature. Today, its romantic corners continue to display its former grandeur.

Why You Should Visit Villa Borghese in Rome
Villa Borghese features numerous historical buildings. Some of the oldest structures include:
Casino del Graziano
Casino Giustiniani
Uccelliera
Meridiana, which boasts stunning Baroque-style secret gardens.
In contrast, architects built newer structures, like:
Casino dell’Orologio,
Casino di Raffaello (now a playhouse for children),
Casina delle Rose (home to the Casa del Cinema)
Fortezzuola (once the home of artist Pietro Canonica, now a museum), in neoclassical and eclectic styles.
Additionally, the Orangery now houses the Carlo Bilotti Museum of Contemporary Art. In the Lake Garden, visitors can explore an artificial island with a small Ionic-style temple dedicated to Aesculapius by taking a short boat ride. The park also offers a zoo, Piazza di Siena with its racetrack, and a circular theater modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe, which hosts plays.
With its abundance of museums and cultural institutions, many people call Villa Borghese the “Park of Museums.” Its heart-shaped design creates a romantic and peaceful green space in the city, making it ideal for a stroll.

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