He reopens Diana’s cave in Villa d’Este, Jewel or Mannersism – Rome after 50 years

Roma – A secret gem, almost fifty years inaccessible, reoping for the public after an important restoration: it is the cave of Diana of Villa d’Este, in Tivoli, a jewel of mannerism sought by a cultivated and refined cardinal. Sculptures, ametists, lapislazzuli, shells, glass pearls, golden leaves return to shine in the sixteenth -century Nymphaeum, returned to the old splendor in the past two years thanks to the dedication of the Autonomous Institute Villa Adriana and Villa D’Este with the decisive support of Fendi. From 6 May the cave of Diana will enrich the Villa, UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, with access via the cardinal walk. Located in the upper part of the garden, under the loggia of the wind, the classroom opens on a unique Panorama, where the view varies from Mount Sorarette to the Castelli Romani, with the eternal city as a support point and center of gravity.

Grotta di Diana, overview. Photo Andrea Concordia I Courtesy Autonomous Institute Villa d’Este Villa Adriana

Place of wonder and contemplation, where in the past and present meet in a dialogue of shapes, shadows and reflections, the cave was built between 1570 and 1572 as a “anthus old -fashioned phantasmagorisch”, to a project by Bolognese Paolo Calandrino and inspiration by Pirro Isgeoriod and the Napolitiand and the Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -De Napolit -The Napolit -Napolit -Napolit -Napolit -Napolit – ground park. But the spirit of the origin of so much beauty is that of the refined host, Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, son of Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso d’Este, who condensed the best of Italian and French sixteenth -century culture on this location. “The pleasures of the Este House were born in Ferrara, feeding with the experience of the French court in Fontainebleau and Tivoli reach the peak here in Tivoli,” says Andrea Bruciati, director of the Autonomous Institute Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este. A show that aroused astonishment and admiration at that time, in which the splendor of old monuments such as Domus Aurea was disputed and settled as a model for caves and nymphaeums in gardens from all over Europe.

Diana Cave, restoration and cleaning of the decoration. Photo Andrea Concordia I Courtesy Autonomous Institute Villa d’Este Villa Adriana

Caryatids with fruit baskets welcome visitors to the newborn jewel, decorated with nine polychrome bass reliefs now perfectly readable. The gods of the sea and the Metamorphosis From Ovidius, the main themes of the decoration of the cave, completely covered by a huge mosaic of shells, stone fragments, vitrepasta and precious stones, while on the grilled terracotta floor they shine with eagles, pomis and extensive lilies. “The cave of Diana is conceived to evoke the eternal challenge between nature and man, the natural materials and artifice and to project the guest into another dimension that reveals the Este taste with regard to the Tiburtino territory,” says the director of the court of the court of the court of the court of the Court of Court, which is well connected to the court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of Hofality. Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court of the Court “.

Grotta di Diana, Detail with two Canefore Cariatides Placed to the right of the Great Nymphaeum By Diana who occupies the northern arm of the cross. Photo Andrea Concordia I Courtesy Autonomous Institute Villa d’Este Villa Adriana

“The recovery of the cave of Diana is an act of love for Fendi, the most recent of a path of protection and improvement of the Italian cultural heritage, which this year culminates with the celebration of our century festival, says Silvia Venturini Fendi, artistic director accessories and people of the Fashion House:” Diep root of the creative heart of the Harten van 1925 of the 1925 Foundations and the creative heart, represent this work, this work represents it for us. About the future that starts from the memory of the past: an obligation aimed at preserving the beauty and history of our country, making this precious monument to the coming generations “.

Grotta di Diana, detail with bow and sailing from the central safe that is seen from the Westarm; Rustic polychrome and polymateric mosaic decoration: roses of shells decorate the intrados of the longitudinal arch and branches with the pomi of the garden of the hosierides made from vilists, semi -ripened stones, stones fragments occupy the ribs of the central cruise. Photo Andrea Concordia I Courtesy Autonomous Institute Villa d’Este Villa Adriana