Villa Strohl Fern

Villa Strohl-Fern is one of the hidden gems of Rome, located within the Villa Borghese Park in the Pinciano district. Built between 1879 and the end of the 19th century by the Alsatian aristocrat Alfred Wilhelm Strohl, the villa is a fascinating example of neogothic and romantic architecture, surrounded by a large garden of approximately 80,000 square meters. Alfred Strohl, a nobleman and patron of the arts, fled Alsace after the Franco-Prussian War and found refuge in Rome. He decided to build a residence that reflected his distance from his native land, adding the term “Fern” (which means “far” in German) to his name. Strohl personally designed many elements of the villa, creating a space that was both a private residence and an artistic center. The villa and the surrounding park are known for their picturesque beauty and unusual architectural details. These include cement trees, fountains adorned with stalactites, caves, and covered bridges that connect different sections of the grounds, creating an environment that seems to come out of a fairy tale. Additionally, there is an artificial lake with a cement boat on the shore, adding an extra touch of magic to the landscape. Villa Strohl-Fern soon became a refuge for artists, offering studios and accommodations at very low prices. Among the illustrious residents were the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, the painter Francesco Trombadori, and the writer Carlo Levi. The presence of these artists helped make the villa a vital center for culture and the arts in Rome between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The artistic studios scattered throughout the park created an atmosphere of creativity and inspiration that attracted numerous talents of the time. After Strohl’s death in 1927, the villa was inherited by the French state, which retained ownership with some restrictions regarding the preservation of the structures and the use of the spaces. In 1957, the property was transferred to the Lycée Chateaubriand, a French school, which still uses part of the complex today. Despite its current educational function, the villa’s park is open to the public on special occasions, allowing visitors to explore this extraordinary corner of Rome. The Trombadori studio, one of the interior spaces of the villa, is currently the only one accessible to the public. This studio has been restored and maintained as it was when the painter Francesco Trombadori used it, offering an authentic glimpse into the life and work of the artists who lived and created at Villa Strohl-Fern. The villa is surrounded by a vast garden that includes a variety of botanical and architectural species of great interest.