Exterior view
by VIGNOLA, Giacomo da, Photo
The Villa Giulia was built in 1551 at the request of Pope Julius III (1550-1555) who called on three eminent architects: Vasari, Vignola and Ammanati. The villa has a first inner courtyard with a semicircular portico whose vault is frescoed. The wall paintings imitate an arbour full of vine shoots, roses and jasmine.
In 1552, Bartolomeo Ammanati created a second space with a loggia with a horseshoe staircase, a nymphaeum with rock gardens, false caves and caryatids, all decorated with Roman sculptures.
The photo shows the entrance.
View the ground plan of the Villa Giulia, Rome.