Have you ever heard of the Grotto of Diana?
It’s a location that’s both gorgeous and steeped in history – a famed architectural jewel from the Renaissance that lies nestled within the captivating gardens of the Villa d’Este. This artificial grotto, constructed between the year 1570 and 1572, highlights a perfect combination of nature’s artistry and human design – where art and ancient myth intertwine like ivy on old stone. Inspired by the tales spun in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the grotto’s interior unfolds like a hidden theatre. With marine scenes dancing across the walls, flanked by monumental caryatides, and mosaics, crafted from delicate shells and bearing the proud symbols of the Este family. There is also a path, leading towards a terrace with a stunning panoramic vista of Rome and the rolling landscapes of Lazio. It’s a view that seems to stretch on forever, painting a masterpiece across the horizon.
Yet, like many treasures of the past, the Grotto of Diana had closed in the 1980s, its magnificence veiled from the world. But now, after nearly half a century – as of May 6th, 2025 – the Grotto of Diana has finally opened its doors once more to the public!
This rebirth is thanks to a vast restoration project, a labour of love that began in 2023. Through the generous cultural patronage of Fendi, working hand-in-hand with the Autonomous Institute of Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este – VILLÆ – this unique nymphaeum has been lovingly brought back to life. New life has been breathed into the grotto’s magnificent architecture and intricate interior decorations, ensuring that this precious heritage will continue to inspire awe for generations to come.
Beyond the major work to secure the very bones of the structure and the painstaking restoration of the delicate sculptures and shimmering mosaics, a thoughtful addition has been made. A glass wall now graces the loggia, a transparent guardian designed to limit the relentless impact of erosion.
