Villa Maraini

A Jewel of the Early 20th Century, Villa Maraini stands in the Ludovisi District atop an artificial hill—originally a plot used as a deposit for excavation materials from the construction of present-day Via Ludovisi, along with other debris. The villa is embraced by a splendid garden, featuring a grotto-shaped nymphaeum.

Constructed between 1903 and 1905 by the Swiss architect Otto Maraini for his brother Emilio, a successful industrialist renowned for introducing beet sugar production to Italy, the villa draws inspiration from the tradition of suburban villas with gardens, such as Villa Medici and Villa Borghese. It presents itself as a grand and elegant structure with an eclectic style infused with Neo-Baroque elements. The interiors remain magnificently adorned with precious marble, stucco, and frescoes, although some original decorations have been lost.

A distinctive feature of Villa Maraini is the 26-meter-high Belvedere Tower, slightly shorter than the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. From its terrace, embellished with balustrades, corner vases, and an elaborate central weather vane, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome.

Following the wishes of the owner’s widow, Countess Carolina Maraini-Sommaruga, the villa was donated to the Swiss Confederation in 1946. The expressed mandate at the time of donation was that the villa should be “perpetually at the service of culture, in the spirit of collaboration between Switzerland and Italy.”

Today, Villa Maraini houses the Swiss Institute in Rome, fostering scientific and artistic exchange between Switzerland and Italy. It also hosts young Swiss artists and scholars annually. The Institute regularly organizes guided tours within the villa, allowing visitors to explore its rich history and architectural beauty.