Chronology
- 1550
Ippolito II d’Este is appointed Governor of Tivoli.
The Cardinal buys land and dwellings of the medieval quarter that occupied the so-called “Valle Gaudente” in order to realize the Villa under the project of Pirro Ligorio.
Transformation of the Benedictine convent for the construction of the Villa.
Excavation and construction of garden wall substructures.
- 1564-65
Construction of the so-called “Canale d’Este” for feeding fountains from the Aniene river.
- 1565-72
Period of intense activity under the direction of Giovanni Alberto Galvani.
From 1565 to 1572 most of the Villa’s fountains are built
- 1572
Ippolito II d’Este died.
Luigi d’Este succeeds his uncle.
From 1572 to 1585 the works for the villa continue under the direction of Giovanni Alberto Galvani;
- 1586-1605
After the death of Luigi d’Este the Villa passed to the Dean of the sacred college of cardinals.
- 1605-1624
Cardinal Alessandro d’Este is appointed governor of Tivoli.
Some artifacts are restored and innovations are made in the Garden.
- 1624-1658
Francesco I, Duke of Modena and Reggio, carries out some restorations and maintenance works. The “rotonda dei Cipressi” is built to replace the lost wooden pavilion.
- 1658-1672
Cardinal Rinaldo I d’Este commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to realize the “Fontana del Bicchierone” and the waterfall under the Piazzale dell’Organo;
- 1672-1802
The dukes of Modena and Reggio succeed one another. significant interventions are not carried out in the garden.
- 1803-1814
The villa is inherited from Maria Beatrice d’Este, daughter of Ercole III and wife of Ferdinando I of Asburgo.
Various interventions are carried out at the garden and at the trees.
- 1814-1851
There are no particular maintenance interventions.
- 1851-1896
The villa was given in emphyteusis to Cardinal Gustav Von Hohenlohe who carried out restoration works to remove the villa from a state of decay.
- 1896-1922
The villa is still owned by the Asburgo-Este and no works are carried out.
From 1922 the villa becomes the property of the Italian government
- 1927-1929
The “Fontana di Nettuno“ is realized by changing the original cascata made by Bernini.
- 1929 – Today
Numerous restoration interventions and garden maintenance operations have taken place.
- 2001
The villa becomes a UNESCO heritage site.
