Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1520 – 1589), grandson of Pope Paul III (also with the name Alessandro Farnese – a bit confusing) built a pentagonal villa in Caprarola with the main purpose of impressing his visitors. Even today, it is hard for any visitor not to be impressed.
The building overlooks and dominates the town of Caprarola. The winding staircase and the beautifully decorated rooms make this a five star attraction. The room of the maps made such an impression on a visiting pope, that he ordered a copy installed in the Vatican. Funnily, when the movie “Two Popes” was filmed, they used the map room in Caprarola to simulate the room in the Vatican. Also the garden was used as scenery for the Vatican garden.
Don’t be surprised if you see tripods with big lamps, generators and movie equipment. The villa is frequently used as backdrop for movies.
The many frescoes are being carefully restored, and efforts are continuing to add informative signs, both in Italian and in English, in each room.
Michael Elmquist homepage 