11/10/2026
An hidden gem of Rome, not only food!
"Behind the walls of Via Po lies one of Rome’s most exclusive, hidden treasures: Villa Giorgina.
Usually strictly closed to the public as it serves as the Apostolic Nunciature in Italy (the Pope's Embassy), this magnificent estate opens its gates only on rare, exceptional occasions thanks to the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano).
Built in 1920 by the industrialist Isaia Levi in memory of his daughter Giorgina, the villa was later donated to Pope Pius XII in 1949 as a sign of gratitude for the protection offered by the Catholic Church to Roman Jews during WWII. While from the outside the estate might look like just a well-kept garden, the 20,000-square-meter park is actually a profound historical palimpsest.
The most breathtaking highlights of the visit include:
• The original ancient Roman paving (basolato) of the Via Salaria, which has been masterfully recomposed right inside the garden.
• The 18th-century Hunting Lodge (Casino di Caccia), a remnant of the historical Sacchetti estate that predates the modern urban development of the Pinciano district.
It is a truly privilege to walk over thousands of years of layered Roman history, safely tucked away behind a modern city wall."
