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Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.
To the Italian visitors of my web site

Casino di Villa Albani fuori di Porta Salara (Book 10) (Day 2) (Map A1)

In this page:
The plate by Giuseppe Vasi
Today's view
Tomba di Lucilio Peto

The Plate (No. 190)

Casino di Villa Albani

Villa Albani was built by Carlo Marchionni for Cardinal Alessandro Albani, nephew of Pope Clemens XI. Here the Cardinal gathered a celebrated collection of classical sculpture which was ordered by J. J. Winckelmann in 1765. Financial needs, ravages by Napoleon, upturns of life forced the Albani to sell their villa to the Chigi, who eventually sold it to the Torlonia (the most affluent family of XIXth century Rome) to whom the villa still belongs. The view is taken from the green dot in the small 1748 map here below (the casino was not yet built). In the description below the plate Vasi made reference to: 1) Fountain with old statues and Egyptian granite cup; 2) Laying statue; 3) Porticoes with statues. The small map shows also 4) Tomba di Lucilio Peto.

Small ViewSmall View

Today

The view today

Although the villa is now surrounded by modern buildings the gardens are large enough (and very well maintained) to recreate the set for the elegant life of Cardinal Albani. The column still bears the heraldic symbols of Clemens XI and a few statues have escaped ravages and auctions. They represent gods and goddesses of the Ancient World in line with the neoclassical revival promoted by Winckelmann.
Read Henry James's account of his visit to Villa Albani in 1873.

Villa Albani

The main building has a special prettiness deriving from its use. In fact the villa was used only for short vacations (the Albani having their city palace near Termini - just a mile away). They came here to walk and play in the gardens and to dine and dance in the building.

Villa Albani


Tomba di Lucilio Peto

Tomba di Licinio Peto

In Via Salaria almost opposite the entrance to Villa Albani excavations led to the discovery of the tomb of Lucilius Paetus and his sister Lucilia Polla. They lived at the time of Augustus and their tomb follows the pattern of Mausoleo di Augusto. The little hill was covered with trees.

Excerpts from Giuseppe Vasi 1761 Itinerary related to this page:


Villa Albani
Nobilissimo è il casino di questa villa, e quando sarà terminato sarà di sommo pregio, e lode al Cardinale Alessandro Albani, che lo ha eretto. Contiene questo gran numero di monumenti antichi, di statue, busti, bassirilievi, iscrizioni, colonne, e tante altre cose rare, e preziose, disposte con tanto buon ordine, che fa stupore a vederne solamente il numero; perciò taccio ogni altra cosa, affinchè il Lettore meglio le noti da per se.

Next plate in Book 10: Casino della Villa Patrizi
Next step in Day 2 itinerary: Villa Ludovisi