— Curated in collaboration with Andrea Spalletti Trivelli, the fifth-generation owner of Villa Spalletti Trivelli.
If Rome is a haven for those in pursuit of the world’s most exquisite artistic experiences, then Villa Spalletti Trivelli stands as the ultimate residence to immerse oneself in the unparalleled fusion of historical grandeur, contemporary luxury, and cultural richness. Within the walls of this heritage hotel, the narrative of the past seamlessly converges with the present, encapsulating the essence of a city deeply woven into the fabric of cultural sophistication.
To unravel Rome's pizzazz as an art lover's paradise and reveal unique artistic gems within the city, we engage in a conversation with Andrea Spalletti Trivelli, the fifth-generation owner of Villa Spalletti Trivelli. From relishing art at Villa Ada and Villa Borghese to savouring local cuisine in Garbatella and Centocelle, exploring the Scavi Vaticani, and time-travelling at Ostia Antica, Andrea's insights promise experiences worth travelling to Rome for.
On Rome’s Artistic and Historical Roots
Andrea Spalletti Trivelli: What makes Rome so incredibly fascinating and beautiful is the fact that it is almost 2800 years old. During this time it has seen one of the most successful populations, the Romans, grow and thrive for almost 1000 years creating from zero one of the biggest empires ever seen, followed by the Pope reigning over the city for almost 800 years and giving way (alongside the Medici in Florence) to the Renaissance and the Baroque.
All this contributed to bringing to Rome an infinity of artists and pieces of art from all over the World transforming Rome into one of the most active art centres of all times. The luck is that most of these incredible masterpieces have made it all the way to us making Rome a time capsule where you can be literally brought back to 2000 years ago, or to the Renaissance, or Baroque eras by simply walking a few hundred meters. No other city in the world can offer anything remotely close to this.
On Tips for First-Time Travelers to Savor the Art Culture and Sidestep Crowds
Andrea Spalletti Trivelli: My first advice is to try and not overdo it. Too many times we see our guests overbooking themselves to try and see as much as possible in just a few days with the only result of getting very tired very quickly and probably not remembering much when they go back home.
My suggestion is to give themselves at least 4 days in the city to be able to properly see at least 1 or 2 main sites a day without any rush and be able to be taken around by a guide that will make the experience all the more memorable and unique. It will also give them time to enjoy the city and its local life which too many times people forget about, Rome is a 4.5 million people city after all with a lot to offer from the local standpoint if you wish to venture out of the tourist areas. In order to absorb the Roman culture and history you need to literally immerse yourself in the city and not just run past the major attractions as If following a checklist.
On Rome's Hidden Art Treasures
Andrea Spalletti Trivelli: I always recommend to try and go off the beaten path. We can agree that sometimes in Rome that might be tricky as the must-do’s alone could easily take up your entire stay. I always suggest my guests go for a stroll in Villa Ada or Villa Borghese and enjoy a meal in the residential areas outside the city centre from Garbatella to Centocelle where you can find true Roman cuisine. Book a tour of the Scavi Vaticani underneath the Basilica to be blown away by the incredible remains of a 2000-year-old Roman cemetery. Take the little train to Ostia and visit the Ostia Antica site, one of the best preserved Roman towns in Italy alongside Pompei and top it up with a lovely meal on the beach. Go local and you will never be disappointed.
On The Unique Charms of Villa Spalletti Trivelli
Andrea Spalletti Trivelli: At Villa Spalletti Trivelli we are very lucky as we inherited the art collection of our great-great-grandmother and founder of the house. Her taste for art was incredible and the Villa still shows it today. The number of paintings, ancient chinaware and vases, and Tibetan tangkas are just a few of the things that art lovers will find inside the Villa during their stay. Even our main staircase is a piece of art on its own as it was sculpted by Edoardo Gioia in yellow marble and with a handrail of iron sculpted into plants and flowers accompanying our guests up and down the stairs.
On Notable Art and Historical Treasures Inside Villa Spalletti Trivelli
Andrea Spalletti Trivelli: I would recommend to our guests to look at the two 15th-century Flemish tapestries based on drawings from Van Royen resembling the months of March and May located in our tapestry room on the ground floor. The Rubens painting is also another of the highlights at the Villa which you can admire while pouring yourself a drink from our complimentary self-serve bar. One of our guests’ absolute favourites, I must say, is the Papier Peint decorating our dining room. These are 400-year-old wallpaper that came from a villa outside of Brussels in Belgium that was purchased and framed as you can admire them today creating this very relaxing feeling of being in a Chinese garden instead of a dining room.
Love art? Then you cannot miss staying at the Villa Spalletti Trivelli for the most unique experience. Contact Us to book your Rome trip today.
This luxury hotel is akin to a Fine Art Museum but with the added delight of being able to sleep surrounded by exquisite art and savour your meals amidst its staggering collections. No art lover could desire anything more.