Despite having it all, from the only existing known mural Caravaggio painted, to the most beautiful gardens, works of art, statues, and fountains, the Roman Villa Ludovisi, also called Casino dell’Aurora, has no takers. No real estate sharks, no billionaires looking for respite, and no art connoisseurs are lining up for this true residence for the arts that once occupied an area of over 30 hectares, from Porta Salaria to Porta Pinciana. Inside, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto bless the masterpiece of architecture and art that was formerly owned by the late Prince Nicoló Boncompagni Ludovisi.
An attempt to sell the property was made by the heirs in 2022 with a starting price of €471 million or $530 million, and a minimum bid of $400 million. The only discount offered was a mere $12 million to the lucky buyer for the Casino dell’Aurora, reported Idealista. Not only did the estate not sell during the auction, but it actually failed to secure even a single bid. A major reason for this one-of-a-kind property not attracting a single bid was the very thing that makes it so unique, Villa Ludovisi is a practical paradox, considered priceless yet one hell of a challenge to maintain.
Of course, it is nothing like its former self, as at the end of the 19th century, its land was subdivided to make way for the construction of the new Ludovisi district. In place of the gardens, roads, palaces, and new homes emerged. Today, although the Casino dell’Aurora stands as an ancient complex housing its two most famous masterpieces, Caravaggio’s Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto and Guercino’s Aurora, it is worth many city mansions put together. The buyer of this home, whenever he or she surfaces, will own not just a typical luxury residence, but a historic building, gardens, and irreplaceable artworks that must be preserved, as they cannot be moved.
The villa has been searching for a buyer for several years and remains in the hands of the Boncompagni Ludovisi family. It thrives today through private visits, events, photo shoots, and filming. Earlier this year, Valentino’s after-party following the fashion house’s show at Palazzo Barberini was held here.
Inside Villa Ludovisi-
The property is said to cover over 30,000 square feet, including the villa and associated garage spaces. In addition to the aforementioned artworks, the edifice houses works by Domenichino, Paul Bril, Agostino Tassi, and others. Art historian Alessandro Zuccari appraised the artworks for the court over a painstaking period of nine months and did the work without payment.
A whopping $350 million was the appraised value of the Caravaggio ceiling, which accounted for roughly two-thirds of the villa’s original auction base. It could well be called the number one reason why this villa has found no takers over the years. It is indeed no mansion, but a true-blue museum whose supposedly priceless ceiling could be enjoyed for a mere $14 during a special visitor program.
