The Casina Farnese is a Renaissance-era structure located on the Palatine Hill in Rome. Originally built in the 16th century, it was part of the Farnese family's ambitious project to transform the ancient ruins of the Palatine into a grand Renaissance garden. The building was constructed over the remains of earlier Roman structures, including sections of the imperial palaces.
The Farnese family, particularly Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, initiated extensive landscaping and construction efforts on the Palatine during the mid-16th century. The Casina Farnese was a pavilion or small villa, intended to serve as a leisure retreat within the Farnese Gardens. It incorporated elements from the ruins of Domitian’s palace and other ancient imperial buildings, adapting them for Renaissance use.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as archaeologists focused on uncovering Rome’s imperial past, much of the Renaissance-era additions, including portions of the Farnese Gardens, were dismantled to reveal the older Roman remains beneath. However, the Casina Farnese survived and remains one of the few standing structures from this period on the Palatine Hill.
circa 1500-1600 CE
The Farnese family, who were influential in the 16th century, transformed the Palatine into a luxury garden, blending classical ruins with new architectural elements. The Casina itself was designed to serve as a small villa or pavilion within the gardens, becoming one of the prime examples of Renaissance architecture in Rome.
Throughout its history, the building suffered significant decay, particularly due to its exposure to the elements and the pressures of time. This deterioration prompted the World Monuments Fund (WMF) to take action. The WMF, recognizing the Casina’s historical and cultural significance, initiated a restoration project aimed at preserving the structure.
Key efforts included the stabilization of its foundations, restoration of frescoes and other decorative elements, and the implementation of measures to protect the building from further environmental damage. By preserving the Casina Farnese, the WMF has ensured that future generations can experience this extraordinary blend of Renaissance and Roman heritage.
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