A friend and I went on Tuesday to Villa Medici, which is now the French Academy in Roma. The Villa originally belonged to Cardinal Ferdinando Medici. Napoleon later purchased it to create an academy where artists could hone their knowledge of Italian art, and put their skills to use for the French national interest. You have to pay for a tour to get a view of the picturesque gardens, the facade of the villa which is studded with brilliant sculptures and reliefs, and the fountain with its stunning statue of Mercury. It's worth the price.
The Villa Medici might not be so spectacular that it merits a visit on a first trip to Rome. But I'd keep it in mind and have it relatively high on the list. The grounds are lovely, and make for a nice respite from the throngs elsewhere. Plus, the Villa Medici is in a great location -- right where the Spanish Steps meet Villa Borghese -- and you could easily combine a tour here with a few other sites to make a nice day of sight-seeing.
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| Great view of St. Peters |
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