Villa Farnesina

The Villa Farnesina on the bank of the Tiber River in Trastevere is one of the hidden gems of Rome. Very few tourists find their way to this Renaissance 16th century home of Agostino Chigi, a banker from Siena. This month I was back there again with my Italian language class.

One of the ceilings depicts the position of the stars

at the moment Agostino Chigi was born.

Vulcan, the god of fire, was often painted on fireplace walls

This fresco by Raphael is one of the villa's masterpieces.

We were surprised to find the Room of the Frieze opened after being closed for many years while it was being restored. This part of the frieze shows the labors of Hercules. It is reported that if you needed a loan from Mr. Chigi, you sat at a table facing him with the mighty accomplishments of Hercules over his head. (He was a man of power!)

To see my previous posting about this villa CLICK HERE.

Villa Farnesina

Last Saturday I went with members of my Italian langage class to visit the 16th century Villa Farnesina, with a guided tour in Italian! It is located in Trastevere, near the Regina Coeli Prison. The villa was dsigned by Baldassare Peruzzi for the Sienese banker Agostino Chigi. It was decorated with non religious themes by famous paintes of teh time, including Raphael. Agostino Chigi entertained popes, cardinals, diplomats, writers and artists in a most lavish fashion. He often hosted dinners in the gardens facing the Tiber River.

Photography was not allowed in the villa, but I have taken some images from the inernet to share with you.

On the walls and ceiling on the garden loggia of the Villa are scenes from the myth of Cupid and Psche, painted by Raphael and his pupils.
Inside the villa on the ground floor is a fresco of Rafael's fomous Galatea. (The ceiling of the room is frescoed with the constellations as they appeared in the sky on the birth date of Agostino Chigi.)
One upstairs room, the Salone della Prospectiva there are frescoes showing he panorama of Rome in different directions. This room is filled with frescoes retelling many different mytholigical love storues.
The Chigi bedroom has a fresco of the marriage of Alexander the Great and Roxana.