Diana's Grotto Reopens to the Public After 50 Years: Villa d'Este's Rediscovered Treasure
After a complex restoration, the thousand colors of a timeless jewel shine again. A treasure chest of art, nature and symbolism finally returned to the public
It took 50 years of closure and a complex restoration project to allow the public to rediscover the Grotto of Diana , one of the most iconic and least known places of Villa d'Este in Tivoli , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This jewel of stones, shells and decorations was created in the 16th century as part of the sophisticated scenographic and symbolic system designed by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, and together with the much more famous fountains of this place, the grotto is also a rare example of artificial architecture inspired by nature, where sculpture, painting and integration of the surrounding environment with human intervention and the myths of the past merge.
The restoration work, also conducted thanks to the financing of the Fendi Group, has therefore restored legibility to the complex decorations, while at the same time resolving critical issues related to humidity, wind and the degradation of the materials. In a visit route redesigned to guarantee safety and enhancement, making stone, water and stories coexist again and revealing the Grotta di Diana in all its beauty, scenographic and intimate at the same time.
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