Villa Aurelia, a place of exclusive beauty and rich in history

Dear fellow travelers,

As Daniela Uslan, I’m thrilled to recommend the exquisite Villa Aurelia in Rome, Italy. This 17th-century gem offers an unparalleled blend of history and luxury.

Key facts:
• Built in 1650
• Located on the Janiculum Hill
• Owned by the American Academy in Rome since 1909
• Restored in 2002

The villa boasts breathtaking views of the Eternal City and meticulously manicured gardens. Its opulent interiors showcase period furnishings and priceless artworks, transporting visitors to a bygone era of Roman nobility.

Villa Aurelia hosts exclusive events and intimate concerts, making it a cultural haven. The terrace is particularly enchanting at sunset, offering a panoramic vista that will take your breath away.

For history buffs, the villa’s past is fascinating. It withstood the 1849 siege of Rome and served as Giuseppe Garibaldi’s headquarters during the Risorgimento.

To fully appreciate this hidden treasure, I recommend booking a guided tour through the American Academy in Rome.

Villa Aurelia is truly a slice of paradise in the heart of Rome, promising an unforgettable experience for discerning travelers..

A villa of rare beauty, a jewel in the heart of Rome: this exclusive place, whose history is fascinating, deserves to be known. Villa Aurelia is located in Rome, and over the years it has changed “name” without ever losing its identity: Villa Farnese, Villa Borbone, Villa Giraud–each of these names has been inherited by the owner. For a privileged view of the Capital of Italy, Rome, Villa Aurelia is a daydream in every way. We tell you about it.

The story of Villa Aurelia

Today, Villa Aurelia is owned by theAmerican Academy in Rome, and it is where the McKim Medal Gala, a parade of stars and VIPs who are captivated each year by the beauty and history of this place. Over time, Villa Aurelia has had several owners: it has been known as the Villa Farnese, Villa Bourbon, Villa Giraud, Villa Savorelli, Villa Heyland, in exactly this order.

Built by the Cardinal Girolamo Farnese, the date of construction, according to information shared by the official website, dates back to 1650. In 1668, the building was completed and became the property of the Farnese of Parma. Thus began its long history to the present day. The architectural heritage has been partly preserved through the ages: the description by Carlo Cartari, papal inspector, dates back to 1670. Much of what is described, has survived to the present day.

When in 1731 he expired the last Duke of Parma, Villa Farnese became a possession of the Bourbon of Naples. By the latter, however, the Villa was never used, rather: it was leased to ambassadors, cardinals and dignitaries. In 1774, it was leased to the Count Ferdinand Giraud. When the latter passed away, the Villa was the subject of contention between the Bourbons and the Girauds, which ended in 1841 with the Count’s family buying it. The price? Unreasonable considering its ancient history, but, unfortunately, it was in a poor state of preservation. Perhaps for this reason, in the same year the Villa was sold to the Count Alessandro Savorelli of Forli.

As anticipated, the Villa has an important past behind it: its location is certainly strategic, in the heart of Rome, with a privileged view from above. Not surprisingly, it was the seat of the Garibaldi’s headquarters.. Over the centuries, it was, therefore, the subject of dispute, decline, even bombing and damage. Villa Aurelia’s fortunes, however, did not run out: in 1864, it became the property of the Mount of Piety and in 1895 it was purchased by an American, Clara Jessup Heyland. And it was during this period that it underwent a small revolution, a restoration and arrangement, but also construction and implementation of the garden, from Italian and English influences.

The restoration of the building in the 20th century

Villa Aurelia became the property of the American Academy in Rome in 1909, on Clara Jessup Heyland’s own bequest. After World War II, a project of renovation of the Villa. All the work was carried out with the aim of restore it to its original state, so many of the additions of the previous owner were removed. For example, bay-windows and superfetations were removed.

The interior of Villa Aurelia

Mrs. Heyland’s work partly compromised the original layout of the facades, as the official website reports: in its current state, Villa Aurelia consists of the floor ground and from the main floor in which receptions, concerts, and lectures are held annually. In contrast, in the middle floor and in the east body of the building guest rooms are located. Finally, at the basement, there are all the services, so storage rooms, kitchen, laundry. A masterpiece whose history refers us to the portrait of a villa that has withstood everything: passed from property to property, it is a magnificent example of Italian architecture, one of the most beautiful and fascinating villas in the Capital.

Finally, at the turn of the 1990s and 2000s, the villa underwent a very thorough restoration, and was reopened to the public in 2002. Inside, as anticipated, there are also a number of apartments, which are usually used for the artists and scholars of the Academy, or for residents. Nestled right in the beauty of the Janiculum, it is the view that captures the attention, as well as an outdoor area of 1000 sq. m.

Today Villa Aurelia dominates the city of Rome, and it is venue of events, weddings. The setting is magical, and is certainly influenced by its glorious past, the Roman nobility, and the princely families who owned it. Among the VIPs who chose it for their wedding day was Stefano D’Orazio of Pooh.

The garden is one of the most exclusive areas of the exteriors of Villa Aurelia: there are wisteria, plants, succulent palms, pines, and holm oaks, as well as a circular fountain. The lane leads to the entrance: fortunately, the structure has still retained much of its original beauty, such as the characters derived from the Rococo style. The night view of Villa Aurelia is breathtaking, and it is not surprising that some of the most prestigious events in the capital.

Cultural events

As anticipated, Villa Aurelia is home to exclusive and cultural events, such as the McKim Medal Gala, which was held in 2024 on June 5, attended by many VIPs and international stars, such as Sofia Coppola. This is one of the most important events in the capital, where those who have contributed to the arts and artistic disciplines with creativity, flair and talent are honored. One of the most important aspects of this cultural event is that all proceeds are donated for scholarship to the Rome Academy-a concrete way to support future artists.

Villa Aurelia is majestic in every detail, and everything is taken care of with enormous attention, to preserving the legacy of Cardinal Girolamo Farnese.. From the prestige of the geographical location to the villa’s interiors, amidst evocative ceilings and crystal chandeliers, the building dominates the capital, in an environment that is peaceful and quiet, but above all refined and enormously elegant.