The Casino (or Villa) Aurora, located on the Pincio Hill in the historic center of Rome, is the last remnant of the sprawling suburban garden property created in 1621 by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, the nephew of Pope Gregory XV (1621-1623). Cardinal Ludovisi transformed the modest hunting lodge into a showcase of art and culture. He had the ceilings of many of the rooms painted with mythological, allegorical, and landscape scenes by leading artists of the early 17th century, such as Pomarancio, Paul Bril, Viola, Domenichino, and Guercino. He had ancient Roman marble sculptures, including relief scenes, portrait busts, and free-standing statuary, installed throughout the property. Finally, he purchased a Renaissance-era marble statue of the ancient Greek god Pan which is described in the cardinal’s official inventory as an original work by Michelangelo, with a purchase price to match. There is also a ceiling painted by Caravaggio—in fact, this is the only ceiling that Caravaggio painted in his career, making the property truly unique. In the following centuries the Ludovisi Gardens and Casino Aurora became a destination for creative and intellectual figures from around the world: Goethe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Gogol, Tchaikovksy, Henry James, Peter Beard, and Annie Liebovitz are just some of the famous visitors.

Your guide to the history, art, and lore of the Casino Aurora and the Boncompagni Ludovisi family is Her Serene Highness Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi.

Audio: English

Subtitles: English

Producer:
Bernard Frischer

Project Manager:
Alberto Prieto

Tour Guide/Narration:
HSH Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi

Scientific Advisors:
T. Corey Brennan

Script:
HSH Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi
T. Corey Brennan
Alberto Prieto

Contributors:
Bernard Frischer
Gabriele Guidi
Alberto Prieto
Alessandro Romiti
Nathanael Tavares

Image Credits:
Photograph of Bernini’s bust of Pope Gregory XV by Laslovarga via Wikimedia Commons, in the public domain

Created By:
Flyover Zone Productions

The team expresses gratitude to:
HSH Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi

The team dedicates its work to the memory of HSH Prince Nicolò Boncompagni Ludovisi (1941-2018).

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