Explore the Opulent Renaissance Villa

This opulent Renaissance palace was built for Cardinal Ricci da Montepulciano in 1540, but Ferdinando dei Medici bought it in 1576. It remained in Medici hands until 1801, when Napoleon acquired it for the French Academy. Take a tour to see the luxuriant landscaped gardens, cardinal's painted apartments and the fascinating views over Rome. Note the pieces of ancient Roman sculpture from the Ara Pacis embedded in the villa's walls.