Herms Gardens at Villa Borghese

The Herme Garden or IV Secret Garden in Villa Borghese, is part of the complex of the so-called "Secret Gardens", adjacent to the Casino Nobile, suburban residence of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, built during the 17th century for the display of rare and exotic flowers. At the southern entrance of the IV Garden, also known as the "Garden of Cultivation", because it was used as a nursery for the plants exhibited in the other three, a monumental hemicycle was built at the end of the 17th century, designed by the architects Carlo Rainaldi and Tommaso Mattei, a monumental entrance hemicycle, the "Dragons' Exedra", so called due to the presence of two sculptures of dragons, the heraldic symbol of the Borghese family, placed on the top of the exedra.

Between 1900 and 1919 what was commonly referred to at the time as the "Garden of the Herms" due to the inclusion during the 19th century of some sculptures of male herms from the Roman era, together with other furnishing elements, was further transformed into its definitive appearance. In 1913, in fact, an elegant fountain was inserted in the centre of the garden, with the function of a perspective backdrop, consisting of an upper basin in Lunense marble, from the Roman era, resting on a modern plinth, coming from the municipal deposits and previously belonging to a demolished fountain not yet located. In 1919, on the occasion of the construction, based on a design by the architect Raffaele de Vico, of the monumental balustrade to crown the construction wall along the eastern side of the garden, the fountain was modified by adding a partially underground circular basin which still exists today.

An important restoration and valorization of the Dragons' Exedra and the fountain of the Herms Garden and the redevelopment of the greenery of the IV Secret Garden were recently completed. The works, lasting approximately four months, promoted by the Department of Culture of Rome Capital and carried out under the scientific direction of the Capitoline Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Waste Cycle, were achieved thanks to a donation of services from the company IZI S.p.a.

The interventions on the monumental entrance portal, i.e. the Exedra, have allowed the full recovery of the original plaster and paintwork and the restoration of the rich stucco decorative apparatus, in addition to the recovery of the seventeenth-century gate. Furthermore, the precious Roman-era fountain in Lunense marble was freed from thick layers of limestone and concretions, bringing the original marble surface to light. The restoration of the water supply and drainage system then made it possible to reactivate its functioning after years of inactivity. Finally, the area was equipped with a new artistic lighting system.

Thanks to the PNRR Caput Mundi funds, other important restoration works are planned on the entire system consisting of the Secret Gardens, the Aviary and the Meridiana Casino.

Photo credits: Official website of Rome Capital