Amongst the many beautiful estates built for the Roman nobility, Villa Torlonia is the most recent one and one of the most memorable. In its layout we can find a rich variety of buildings, each and everyone with their own character, crowned by the originality of its English styled gardens very rarely seen in Rome. As Giovanni Torlonia obtained his Marquis title in 1797, he started developing the estate with the intent of matching the mansions of the Roman Princes and royals in beauty and magnificence, beginning a process that will last for many generations after his own. One by one the buildings were enriched and restyled, the park furnished with priceless pieces of classical art until the developing stopped with the fall of the Fascism in Italy. The last inhabitant of the Villa, was in fact, Mussolini himself, who was allowed to live there between 1925 and 1943 until the English and American troops occupied it until 1947. It finally got back into Italian hands in 1977 and opened to the public soon after and, after changing owners for so many years, in the 90's it was restored to its original beauty. Within the walls of Villa Torlonia you can visit the Park and its main buildings: Casina delle Civette, also known as “Swiss Cabin” it underwent many changes and transformations and it was the very home of Giovanni Torlonia until his death. It is positioned out of the plain sight as to grant some privacy to the occupiers. Its style resembles the northern wooden mansions, giving it a rustic feel; Casino Nobile is the most imposing of the buildings decorated with Doric columns giving it a classical feel, it was styled to impress with vast terraces,a ballroom illuminated by a single huge window and a complex game
Amongst the many beautiful estates built for the Roman nobility, Villa Torlonia is the most recent one and one of the most memorable. In its layout we can find a rich variety of buildings, each and everyone with their own character, crowned by the originality of its English styled gardens very rarely seen in Rome.
Major Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major There is a church on the Esquiline hill, in Rome, called Santa Maria Maggiore or Saint Mary Major. This church is one of four major papal Basilicas and the largest Marian church in Rome. Every year, on August the 5th something strange and beautiful happens around this fascinating church: white rose petals fall from the domes of the Basilica, at that magical moment it looks like it is snowing in the middle of summer. So what’s the story? Why do people throw white petals from the rooftop of Santa Maria? Well, it’s an old story that’s ought to be told. In the 4th century AD, just a few years after Christianity became legal in Roman Empire, there was a married couple: Giovanni and Maria. They were rich and they loved each other very much, the life was beautiful except for one thing: they couldn’t have kids. No matter what they tried Maria could never get pregnant. When all hope was lost, they decided to ask Virgin Mary for help. So as they prayed, all of a sudden, Mary appeared before them. Desperate and frustrated they told her:”Oh Mary, you are the mother of all, you are wise and all mighty, please help us. We are willing to give everything away, to dispose of all our wealth in order to have a child.” To which Mary replied:” Wait for the sign.” So they waited and waited, and one night she came to them again, but this time in their dreams. Both Giovanni and Maria had the strangest dream ever, they dreamed of Virgin Mary who was telling them that it is going to snow on one of the seven hills of Rome, and that it is going to happen on August the 5th. Early in
Major Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major There is a church on the Esquiline hill, in Rome, called Santa Maria Maggiore or Saint Mary Major. This church is one of four major papal Basilicas and the largest Marian church in Rome. Every year, on August the 5th something strange and beautiful happens around this fascinating church:
Ariccia is a little town, located one hour away from Rome, in the Alban hills, in the national park called Castelli Romani, between two volcanic lakes: Lake Albano and Lake Nemi. Ariccia is about 2500 years old and because of its location it had been for ages a very important strategic point. In the end of 15th century Ariccia passed into the hands of Savelli family who started the reconstruction of the town and begun work on their family palace and many important buildings. In the 17th century it became property of one of the most important papal dynasties called Chigi family and the face of the town had changed completely with the arrival of the genius of architecture Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who together with his talented student Carlo Fontana completed the construction of the Chigi Palace, built The Church Of The Assumption, and the Piazza di Corte. The Chigi Palace of Ariccia is a lavish, baroque villa that remained virtually unchanged since its creation in late 17th century, it houses a very important art collection of baroque period, transferred there from The Chigi Palace of Rome which has been sold to the Italian government and became the Council of Ministers. Adjacent to the palace is a large park initially created for hunting and later became the place for leisure for the Chigi family and place of inspiration for artists. For many years Ariccia became a haven for the artists coming from all around the world. Such artists as Turner, Corot and Ivanov came to Ariccia to paint its beautiful landscapes, the lakes, the parks and the bridges. The town is famous for such monumets as the Chigi Palace built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Fontana, and The Church Of The Assumption also built by Bernini and his school.
Ariccia is a little town, located one hour away from Rome, in the Alban hills, in the national park called Castelli Romani, between two volcanic lakes: Lake Albano and Lake Nemi. Ariccia is about 2500 years old and because of its location it had been for ages a very important strategic point. In the end
