Charming and luxurious property, a magnificent park with lush gardens, the palacios villa, some ancient ruins, - Villa Aldobrandini has it all. Great location on the hill overlooking the valley and the city.
I came across conflicting information regarding the ownership of the property.
According to some sources, the Aldobrandini family still owns the villa - since 1550 when it was originally built. What an amazing continuity!
The villa was given by Pope Clement VIII to his nephew Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini in 1598 as a reward and because popes are not allowed to own any property. By the way of gift, this property remained in the family ever since.
In the garden behind the villa, there is the Water theater, Teatro delle Acque. Aldobrandini created 5mi long aqueduct from the Modena spring on Monte Algido to the villa to support Teatro delle Acque, and to provide water for the gardens.
During the World War II, the villa and the fountains of Teatro delle Acqua got damaged and are being in the process of restoration in the recent years.
I've read wild stories about Villa Aldobrandini, told by its current (?) owner Prince Camillo Aldobrandini.
Apparently, the family was related to Napoleon (through marriage). Shortly before Napoleon left for Russia in 1812, he is said to had taken the statues from the top of the balustrade of the Teatro delle Acqua, and promised to pay Aldobrandini upon his successful return from the war. Well, we all know what transpired in Russia, so my guess is Aldobrandini never got paid by his in-law Napoleon!
The garden today is a public park.
According to other sources, the Italian government finally purchased the Villa in the public interest, by a Royal Decree Law, in 1926. The following year, a large part of the garden was assigned to the city of Rome for use as a public park. The villa itself eventually became part of the Demanio Statale, State property. It holds the headquarters of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law.
The park is open year around, every day except Sundays and holidays, 9am - 1pm and 3pm - 6pm (closes an hour early in winter months). read more