Villa Mondragone Hosts 50th FAI Spring Days
In a splendid celebration marking its 50th anniversary, Villa Mondragone, a stunning congress centre and representative hub of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, will open its doors to the public for the FAI Spring Days on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March 2025 (https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/villa-mondragone?gfp). This remarkable event, now in its 33rd edition, invites visitors to explore the villa without the need for prior booking, from 10 am until 6 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm).
Among the villa's treasures are the Sala degli Svizzeri, Sala Rossa, the Secret Garden, the Italian Garden, and the Teatro delle Acque, also known as the Girandola. Villa Mondragone, the largest of the Tusculane villas, was built in the late 1500s by Marco Sittico Altemps. It later saw extensive enhancements under the famous Scipione Borghese, the ‘cardinal nephew’, who made it the Pope’s summer residence until Castel Gandolfo took over in 1626.
Rich in history, Villa Mondragone stands upon a Roman villa dating back to the 1st century BC and served as the residence of the notable Quintili family in the 2nd century AD. Between 1568 and 1579, Cardinal Altemps constructed this residence to host Pope Gregory XIII, who famously initiated the Gregorian calendar here in 1582 with his papal bull, Inter gravissimas.
The villa’s ownership transitioned to Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese in 1613, who further expanded it. In 1863, the site was entrusted to the Jesuits, who converted it into the prestigious Nobile Collegio di Mondragone. The University acquired it in 1981, transforming it into a conference centre following extensive renovations.
Not merely an architectural gem, Villa Mondragone embodies a vast cultural heritage which is under continuous exploration and preservation. The recent 3D laser scanning has unveiled the villa's greater original extent, along with detailed insights into its design and intricate hydraulic systems, including a huge cistern still in use today.
This historical marvel has further significance tied to notable figures such as Galileo Galilei and Guglielmo Marconi, who conducted significant scientific experiments within its walls. The remarkable Voynich manuscript, considered the ‘most mysterious book in the world’, was also housed here before its sale in 1912.
Villa Mondragone today is more than just a museum; it serves as a historical residence, a research centre, and a vibrant hub of culture and ideas. With projects aimed at restoring its impressive hydraulic theatre and other artistic treasures, it promises an enchanting glimpse into the past, from Roman times to present day.
Events like this play a crucial role in showcasing the villa’s historical, artistic, and scenic grandeur while illuminating the stories of the remarkable individuals and events that have graced its halls throughout the centuries.
