'VILLE TUSCOLANE'

PART 3

VILLA FALCONIERI - (Frascati)

Also known as the 'Rufina', it's the most ancient of the villas built in Frascati. Its believed that it was built on a pre-existing Roman villa remains, owned by the roman consul Gabinio and to the Cusini and Quintili families. The construction was began by Alessandro Ruffini, bishop of Melfi (town in the Basilicata Region), between 1548 and 1574, but finished by bishop Alessandro Farnese, who later became Pope Paul III, around 1520, due to the strategic position over Rome.

Having the Pope, renamed Frascati with its original name: Tuscolo, Paul III began significant restoration and embellishment works, commissioning architect Antonio da San Gallo il Giovane.
Between 1540 and 1549 the villa was built in a monumental style, under the supervision of Jacopo Meleghino. That same year, the Pope had three commemorative medals made, concerning the reconstruction of Frascati and the villa Rufina. The following years, the building underwent further embellishments and works by famous painters, furthermore, in 1555, a water system was constructed, carrying water from the various local springs. A NOTE: The gardens house a small lake surrounded by cypresses, inspired the many love related suicides that occurred.

In 1563, choked by debts, the Ruffini family had to sell the villa. From then on the estate has been passed in the hands of some Roman noble families: Cenci, Sforza, Gonzaga and Montalto, modifying its looks, and adding a new building (1620). In 1628, the villa was bought by Orazio Falcinieri, a Florentine nobleman, who kept it until 1865. No major works were made until his son, Orazio, had major restorations, of the building done. Even the famous architect Borromini had participated in the construction of Villa Falconieri, especially in planning the gardens and the park. The works, are known to have been definitely completed, in 1668, by Francesco Massari, Borromini's assistant.

The Falconieri family ceased to exist in 1865 and the villa was, thus, inherited by count Luigi Carpegna who sold it in 1883, in terrible abandoned conditions, to princess Elisabetta Aldobrandini Lancellotti. In 1895, she sold it to the Trappists Friars, who lived there without making any major up keepings, especially to the gardens which turned into marshes thus favouring the malaria growth.

In 1905, the compound was sold to rich and noble German: E.M. Von Mendelssohn, who turned it into a meeting point for the German community. In 1907, Villa Falconieri, was sold to the German emperor Wilhelm II, who completely restored it and turned it into a fine-arts school.
During WW I, it was confiscated by the Italian government which kept it, permanently after the war, considering it as 'war damage' refund.

Between 1925 and 1928, it was turned into the general headquarters of the Ministry of Fine Arts and, for a little period of time, it became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then into the International Educational Cinematography Institute until 1941.

In 1943 was turned into Gen. Kesselring, German Occupation Army headquarters, further degrading the already bad shape in which the villa found itself. State property again, in 1945, it had to wait until 1959 to see its restoration, and rebuilding of the damaged sections, accomplished.

From the 1960 to 1979, became the CEE (European Education Centre) and, now, an educational government-runned institute (CEDE).

VILLA GRAZIOLI - (Grottaferrata)

Was built by cardinal Antonio Carafa in 1580 and, still today has part of its original decorations dated 1591, the same year when cardinal Acquaviva bought the property. Pope Paul V, enchanted by the area, and his relatives, were given the indefinite usage of the entire estate.

Most of its rooms were painted by the Florentine painter Agostino Ciampelli. After being owned, for a period of time, by the Borghese family, who bought it in 1612, and passed it on to cardinal Taverna in exchange for Villa Mondragone. Villa Grazioli was, then, again sold to prince Michele Peretti, nephew of Pope Sistus V in 1614.

The Savelli family takes over, in 1683, only to sell it again to duke Livio Odescalchi who completely restored the building commissioning architect Giovanni Battista Fontana, between 1696 and 1968. He also commissions the second floor frescoes, to some artists from Bologna (Emilia Romagna Region). In 1700, the upstairs gallery was built, and frescoed by Giovanni Paolo Pannini. In 1833, the estate goes to the Collegium FIDE which sells it to duke Pio Grazioli who, besides the building, completely restores the park. Villa Grazioli its now a Hotel, well known in the Castelli Romani area.

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