Villa Giulia

"Well hello Sherman!

Did you know Villa Giulia was built in the mid-1500s by Pope Julius III?  I was told that back then, lucky guests of the Pope or influential people of the time would first stop here on their journeys from the north because it was at the edge of the city limits.  Upon arrival, here's what they might have seen, less a few modern additions.

Pope Julius III clearly enjoyed the finer things in life and had the cash flow to satisfy his appetite.  Yes, the first site of the Villa is lovely and quite large.  However, I would never claim to say it was breathtaking... until you go straight through the front doors and walk straight out the back.  This is clearly where the money went.

Straight ahead is the three-level Nympheum, a grotto made to resemble ancient Greek water features, keeping much shade from the sun and was often used for outdoor dining in the heat of the summer.  Before we walk across the casino to get there, one glance to the right shows you this:

If you followed the matching covered pathway going to the left, it leads you to the garden.

Pretty Gardens.  Wish I had one of those in my back yard.  It would be such a lovely place to do my business.

Let's go take a look at the Nympheum.  We simply walk up a small set of stairs, go through a few columns and see this straight ahead.  Not bad, right?

Then look down!

So pretty.

Can you imagine eating lunch with views of the mosaic and statuary below?  Along, with the sound of water running under the plants which are so pleasing to the eyes, Villa Giulia is certainly just VASGO worthy.  And for an 8 Euro entrance fee which includes admission to the National Etruscan Museum, it is absolutely worth the money to visit this gem.

And since you still look like you have no idea what I'm talking about, I'd like to add that the Etruscans lived in areas north of Rome before Rome was even established.  Do you understand now?  We are talking VERY old stuff.  More specifically, the Etruscan civilization started sometime between 800 BC - 700 BC.

Now Sherman, don't stare so blankly at me.  Haven't you learned anything from me today?"

Source

"I think so, Mr. Peabody!  Thanks for the history lesson!"