Guided tour in the Palazzo Farnese – Caprarola

Palazzo Farnese is one of the greatest exemple of mannerist age mansion. It was one of the several noble houses build by the Farnese family in their domains. At first, the building should have defensive characteristics as common use with manor houses in this region during XV and XVI century. The original design of a pentagonal fortress was drafted by the architect Sangallo, and then transformed into the majestic XVI century home for Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III, by Jacopo Barozzi, known as Il Vignola, one of the most important figures of mannerism .

The bastions at the angles were cut by the architect and transformed in large terraces, overlooking the surrounding countryside. In the center of the residence, was created a round two story courtyard, with the upper floor slightly set back.

Vignola had the hill cut with steps with the intention of isolating the palace and yet, at the same time, integrating gracefully the surrounding area. A straight street was open in the center of the village below, connecting visually the palace with the town and highlighting its dominant position.

The greatest painters and architects of the time have worked at the stately home.

The themes of the frescoes were inspired by the scholar Annibal Caro, and realized by Taddeo Zuccari, then replaced on his death (1566), by his brother Federico Zuccari, Onofrio Panvinio and Fulvio Orsini.

Attached to the villa, the “Orti farnesiani” (which have the same name of the family gardens on the Colle Palatino, in Rome), are a wonderfull exemples of late-Renaissance gardens, created through terraces behind the house, on the hill from which the complex is erected, and connected with bridges to the Palace.

Work on the garden was started in 1565 by Giacomo Del Duca, using earth discharge of the foundations of Church of Gesú in Rome for the terraces, and finished i 1630, under the direction of Girolamo Rainaldi.

The tiny construction located inside the gardens has been chosen by Luigi Einaudi as his summer residence, during the 7 years he was President of the Italian Republic (1948-1955).

The palace was finished two years after Vignola’s death.

How to visit the Palazzo Farnese of Caprarola: opening hours and ticket

Opening hours:
– from Tuesday to Saturday, from 8.30 to 19.30 (last admission at 18.30)
– Sundays and holidays in October and November from 8.30 to 17.30 (last admission at 16.45)
– Sundays and holidays in December from 8.30 to 13.30 (last admission at 12.45).
Ticket: entrance € 5.00/person