Project Description
Villa d’Este
Duration : 2hrs plus 2hrs of transportation (Tivoli is 15 miles away from Rome)
One of the most famous villas of the Renaissance is also located in Tivoli. Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, son of Lucrezia Borgia (his grandfather was Pope Alexander VI Borgia!) was such a prominent Lord that he was certain he would become Pope.
However, with the Counter-Reformation, times had changed, his splendor was deemed inadequate for the spirituality of a Pope, and he had to be content with remaining a cardinal in Tivoli.
This is where he had a villa built with spectacular water features. Nymphs, grottoes, and a “musical fountain”, because the organ is played solely by the water pressure. Also, complete with an impressive waterfall.
Come and discover the lifestyles of the prominent Lords of the Italian Renaissance, in a place that is unique in the world.
