Villa Doria Pamphili

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Friday 10th of September 2010

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Villa Doria Pamphili

Villa Doria Pamphili is the largest public park of Rome, with it's area of 1.8 km² and it is placed on the Janiculum Hill.

In 1630, Pamphilio Pamphili bought the Villa Vecchia property and adjoining lands to create a large estate. In XIX century, the Villa Vecchia was transformed into a residence for the staff. In the begining of XX century, the interior was modified in Art Nouveau style. In 1957, the Italian State bought the Villa and used it as the seat of an official Ministry. Today, the Villa is a museum with rich collection of antiques and sculptures.

In 1644 the nephew of Pope Innocent X ( Giovanni Pamphili ), Camillo Pamphili began construction of a new villa, named "the Casino". The architect of new villa was Alessandro Algardi ( known as a sculptor and creator of the fountains of the Lily and the Snail ). The construction included surrounding gardens and continued until 1652. The Pamphili Casino was specially designed to show off Pamphili collection of sculptures (ancient and modern) and Roman antiquities. Today, most of the Pamphili family marbles are shown in the Capitoline Museums.

In 1965 the City of Rome bought the villa from the Doria - Pamphilj family. In 1760 Girolamo Pamphilj died without male heirs and battle broke out among the possible heirs. The battle was settled, by Pope Clement XIII in 1763, with marriage between Giovanni Andrea III Doria and Anna Pamphilj. So the arms and the properties of the Pamphili was granted to prince Giovanni Andrea IV. And here comes the villa's double name ( Doria - Pamphili ).

The two sections of the extended villa grounds are separated by a street. The salution was found in year of 2000, when was built arching pedestrian bridge to join the two sections more amenably.

Now, Villa Doria Pamphili is largest public park in the city and favourite place for jogging and dog owners.