Villa Aurelia

This villa was built at the behest of cardinal Gerolamo Farnese in 1650 and the construction re-used the existing elements of the Aurelian Walls and towers located on the spot.

Of great significance was the Garden of the Farneses (Giardino dei Farnesi), which was accessed through a driveway of cypresses that ended in a clearing in front of the north facade, in front of which had been made an Italian garden (giardino all'italiana). Today the design of the gardens is modern but well-kept.

When with the death of cardinal Gerolamo the Dukes of Latera got extinct, the house passed to the branch of Parma, and in 1731, to the Bourbons of Naples.

In the first half of the 19th century it was property of marquis Alessandro Muti-Papazzurri, who had it restored by Vespignani, when the villa got the name Villa Savorelli.

In 1848, during the siege of Rome, Garibaldi set up his headquarters here and the building suffered significant damage. In 1856, it was rebuilt according to the original drawings.

In the end of the 19th century, it passed to the hands of a Philadelphian heiress Clara Jessup, and the house became known as Villa Aurelia thanks to the vicinity of the ancient Roman road.

Clara Jessop bestowed it to the American Academy in Rome, which owns it today. The villa is used for various events, concerts, exhibitions, weddings, and can be rented from the Academy.