Palazzo Chigi di Ariccia to undergo complete restoration with €2 million funding

Italy's Ministry of Culture has allocated €2 million for the complete restoration of Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia, a historic palace near Rome. The decision was announced by Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano, who emphasized the site's cultural significance, noting its connection to the Appian Way and its design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The funds will be disbursed over three years: €600,000 in 2023, €700,000 in 2024, and €700,000 in 2025. The palace was acquired in 1661 by Prince Agostino Chigi and Cardinal Flavio Chigi, relatives of Pope Alexander VII, who used nearby Castel Gandolfo as a summer residence. Restored between 1664 and 1672 under Carlo Fontana, following Bernini's concept of a hybrid villa, castle, and palace, the estate includes a vast park with ancient trees, including some of Europe's oldest sequoias. The palace has served as a filming location for movies and TV series such as Il Gattopardo by Luchino Visconti, Elisa di Rivombrosa, Tale of Tales by Matteo Garrone, and the Me Contro Te film. Sangiuliano outlined a broader plan to revitalize the area, including redevelopment of the palace square and the Appian Way, aiming to attract tourists from Rome and promote cultural tourism. The minister stated that the project seeks to shift tourism flows from iconic sites to equally valuable cultural destinations, making Ariccia a vibrant place for younger generations.