The Villa Sarsina is a historic villa in Anzio. It was probably built on a former temple dedicated to Hercules.
A brief history of the Villa Sarsina in Anzio
The Villa Sarsina was named after the princes of Sarsina, who, in everyday life, went by the name Aldobrandini. The family owned the villa from 1874 to 1926.
The original owner was Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini from Florence. The cardinal had the palace built between 1732 and 1735. On the walls of the belvedere belonging to the villa the coat of arms of Pope Clement XII Corsini, who was the cardinal’s uncle, was depicted.
The architect was probably Ferdinando Fuga. Fuga is quite famous, as he also designed the Palazzo Corsini and the facade of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, as well as the Albergo dei Poveri and the grand reception room of the Royal Palace in Naples.
After taking over the role of “Patron of the Port ” from Cardinal Benedetto Pamhilj, he immediately started construction. The work force consisted of imprisoned convicts.
It is thought that the ruins of a former temple dedicated to Hercules were used as foundation. In 1931, a mosaic depicting Hercules was found in a niche under the Belvedere.
The steps leading up to the building date from the time of the Corsini.
After the Corsini, several other families owned the villa. Each family had its own ideas and had alterations made to the building. Through the Menacci, the complex finally came into the hands of Don Pietro Aldobrandini. The latter commissioned Vespignani to carry out an extensive restoration.
Useful information
The address of the Villa Sarsina is Via Luigi Mazza, 17, 00042 Anzio RM, Italy. Phone: Unknown.