The Villa Medici property, located not far from Villa Borghese, was a vineyard before construction on the lavish palace began in 1540. After its purchase by the Medici cardinal in 1576, the palace and gardens were completed with frescoes and statues. Napoleon acquired the villa in the early 19th century, and it continues to be the seat of Rome’s French Academy, where French-speaking artists and scholars are invited for year-long residencies.
The villa also hosts regular art exhibitions, musical performances, and open-air cinema events. If you’re already acquainted with Rome’s main attractions and would like to explore a lesser-known sight in the city, join a guided tour of Villa Medici. Otherwise, walking tours of the highlights near Rome’s Villa Borghese public gardens often include a stop to take in the palace from outside.
Villa Medici is located next to Viale della Trinità dei Monti, on the Pincian Hill overlooking Rome. Take metro line A to the Spagna station or walk to Piazza di Spagna, where you can climb the Spanish Steps to reach the villa.
Villa Medici is open from Wednesday through Monday and offers four tours in English daily. One of the main draws of the villa is the Renaissance gardens, which are particularly picturesque in spring and fall.
Villa Medici is home to a trove of Renaissance painting and sculpture. Highlights include the palace’s internal facade overlooking the gardens, which is adorned with copies of classical sculpture including Giambologna’s Mercury, the sumptuous Cardinal’s apartment, the Loggia, and the Bosco Studio. The vast grounds include manicured gardens, orchards, historic umbrella pines, and a number of fountains and statues.
