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Casino della Villa Altieri sul Monte Esquilino |
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Casino della Villa Altieri sul Monte Esquilino |
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1. |
Aquedotto dell'Acqua Claudia |
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2. |
Fontane e scale a cordonata che scendono nella villa inferiore |
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3. |
Traforo del Casino e fontana in mezzo al giardino secreto |
The 1551 Bufalini map records an Altieri presence on a square in the center of town labeled Forum Alteriorum (Piazza Altieri). With the election of Cardinal G.B. Emilio Altieri as Pope Clemente X (1670-76), the family began the expansion of their palace, Plates 39, 79, and the building of their suburban villa depicted in this print, the Villa Altieri on the Esquiline Hill. It was located in open land between Via Labicana and Via Felice, and was reached by a short driveway from the latter, which aligned with the axis of the casino. On his map Nolli records these details as well as the line of the Neronian branch of the Claudian aqueduct (1) visible in the distance in this print. Vasi stood on the approach drive to obtain this rigidly symmetrical view. His purpose for doing so may have been to be able to show the open ground level passage through the casino to the giardino segreto (3) (formal garden) and its fountain. Flanking the casino are another set of fountains and cordonate (2) (stair ramps) leading to the lower levels of the villa (not visible in the print). Today only the casino and giardino segreto survive.
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