Villa del Vascello

Villa del Vascello, also known as Villa Giraud, is a historic villa located in Rome, on the Gianicolo hill, famous for its architecture and tumultuous history. Built in the 17th century by the brothers Basilio and Plautilla Bricci commissioned by Abbot Elpidio Benedetti, the villa owes its name to its shape, which resembles that of a sailing ship. The villa’s design is part of the rich artistic and architectural production of the Baroque period, a time when Rome was enriched with palaces and villas designed to showcase the power and wealth of noble families. Abbot Benedetti, an agent of Louis XIV and advisor to Cardinal Mazarin, wanted a residence that reflected his prestige and his connection to the French court. Upon Benedetti’s death, the villa passed to the Duke of Nevers, Filippo Giuliano Mancini, and later, in 1749, to Count Giraud, from whom it took the alternative name. In the 19th century, the villa became the scene of dramatic events during the siege of Rome in 1849, when it was one of the last bastions of defense of the Roman Republic against French troops. The fighting severely damaged the villa, to the point that the main building had to be partially demolished. Purchased by the Pamphilj family, the villa was joined with the adjacent Villa Doria Pamphilj and Villa Corsini, expanding the already vast real estate holdings of the Pamphilj. It was later sold to Count De Angelis and in 1877 to General Giacomo Medici, who had commanded the defense of the villa during the siege. Medici, appointed Marquis of Vascello for his heroism, took care to renovate the minor buildings, giving them their current appearance. In the late 1970s, the villa was owned by the company “Gianicolo 73” and was used as a school. In 1983, the company “Urbs” purchased the villa and transformed it into the headquarters of the Grand Orient of Italy, which still uses it as its headquarters today. Despite the damage suffered throughout its history, Villa del Vascello still retains many of its original architectural features. Among these, one can admire the fake rocks and caves that give the villa a naturalistic and pre-Romantic taste. The interior decorations, described in historical accounts, were particularly rich, with galleries adorned with mirrors, trophies, and black and white maiolica floors. The vault of the main gallery was decorated with frescoes by artists such as Pietro da Cortona, Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi, and Allegrini, depicting mythological and allegorical scenes. An interesting anecdote concerns the period when the villa was defended by Garibaldini during the siege of 1849. During the fighting, the villa was bombarded and suffered serious damage, but the defenders continued to resist heroically until the end. Photographs taken by Stefano Lecchi after the siege show the remains of the villa and testify to the devastation caused by the fighting.