Villae Futura: Tivoli's Monumental Villa Restoration Unveiled

The exhibition 'Villae Futura: musei, parchi, giardini in evoluzione' at Tivoli, curated by director Andrea Bruciati, documents the extensive restoration of the UNESCO-listed Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este, while previewing future projects. At Villa Adriana, the Canopus, Pecile, and Maritime Theatre water basins have been restored, and the new 'Percorso Yourcenar' path reopens the historic link between the Greek Theatre and Temple of Venus. At Villa d'Este, the Oval Fountain and Dragon Fountain (known for its water games) have been revived, and the Grotta di Diana (with Fendi's support) is being fully restored with stuccoes, colored stones, enamels, and maiolica. Future plans include reopening the Mouseia at Villa Adriana, the Via Tecta at the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor, and the Mausoleum of the Plautii. Bruciati described the villas as having transformed from 'sleeping islands' into a 'living landscape' over eight years. The exhibition's final room is a 'Wunderkammer of utopias' showcasing unrealized projects. The restoration aims to integrate history with contemporary needs, emphasizing that 'beauty is fragile' and requires collective protection.