Castello Della Magliana

Rome, Italy

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Castello Della Magliana in Rome was originally built as a papal country residence and hunting villa, begun around 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV and completed under Pope Leo X in the early 16th century. It sits near the Tiber River in an area that was once abundant with wildlife and enjoyed as a retreat from the city's summer heat.

The castle features Renaissance architecture with contributions from renowned artists and architects such as Giuliano da Sangallo, Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, and Raphael, who decorated its interiors and chapel. The site includes a large courtyard with a fountain, a belvedere loggia, and the Salon of the Muses, where cultural gatherings were held. Over time, the castle declined due to malaria and was eventually abandoned but restored and maintained by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in the mid-20th century.

Today, it houses offices and manages the nearby San Giovanni Battista hospital, retaining its historic significance as a papal estate and cultural landmark.