This elegant villa in Trastevere was the home of the Sienese banker Agostino Chigi, who was also the treasurer of Pope Julius II. Chigi was one of the richest men in Rome, which meant that he could afford to hire famous artists such as Raphael to decorate the walls of the villa with breathtakingly beautiful frescoes, including a painting of Cupid and Psyche, and the famous Triumph of Galatea. The nymph resembles the celebrity courtesan Imperia, who was Chigi’s lover until her premature death. Chigi went on to marry Francesca Ordeaschi, and many of the decorations of the Villa Farnesina celebrate their marriage.

In addition to the Raphael frescoes, there are stunning works by some of the other greatest artists of the age, including Sebastiano del Piombo, Giulio Romano, and Il Sodoma. The hall where Chigi held his wedding banquet is known as ‘The Hall of Perspectives’, due to the illusionary effect of the wall paintings by Peruzzi. In his own time, Chigi was legendary for his wealth and decadent lifestyle—allegedly throwing his silver dishes into River Tiber after parties, to show his disdain for money—but a visit to his home shows that it’s art that endures, rather than wealth. These days Chigi has been more or less forgotten, while Raphael remains one of the most famous men to have ever lived. A visit to the Villa Farnesina will show you why.

Getting there
Take a bus that goes along the Lungotevere, such as the 23 or the 280.