The Roman rooms hidden beneath the estate

The Roman room beneath the Terra della Fratta estate is a fascinating example of the rich historical resources hidden beneath the seemingly ordinary. The villa is located just west of the Martesana canal and Adda river, north of Vaprio d'Adda, in the Lombardy region of Italy. The villa originated as a Vallombrosan monastery, but was repurposed by Count Giuseppe Simonetta in the 18th century. He built a lodge and refurbished the monastery church in Baroque style.

However, it was Count Cesare Castelbarco who expanded and decorated the reception rooms in the 19th century. Between 1835 and 1837, he created a series of themed rooms in the basement, including an Egyptian, Etruscan, Roman, Oceanic, and a Raphaelesque room. The Roman room in particular stands out, as it is filled with Roman artifacts and sculptures that were collected by Carlo Castelbarco. The villa later passed to the Massimini family, and then to the Quintavalle, before being owned by a private company called 'Barco art and culture center.

Today, the villa is used for cultural events and private functions, but the Roman room remains a hidden gem that offers a glimpse into the wealth and history of the Castelbarco family.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons