InteriorsInteriorsThe villa's interiors are arranged over five floors, each floor designed for a different function. The main The villa's interiors are arranged over five floors, each floor designed for a different function. The main rooms are located on the first floor or rooms are located on the first floor or piano nobilepiano nobile, where a large central loggia (now glazed in) looks down , where a large central loggia (now glazed in) looks down over the town, its main street and the surrounding countryside. This hall is known as the Room of over the town, its main street and the surrounding countryside. This hall is known as the Room of Hercules on account of its fresco decorations , and was used as a summer dining hall. It has a on account of its fresco decorations , and was used as a summer dining hall. It has a grotto-like fountain with -like fountain with sculpture at one end. To either side of the loggia are two circular rooms: one is the chapel, the other at one end. To either side of the loggia are two circular rooms: one is the chapel, the other accommodates the principal staircase or accommodates the principal staircase or Scala RegiaScala Regia, a graceful spiral of steps supported by pairs of , a graceful spiral of steps supported by pairs of Ionic columns rising up through three floors and columns rising up through three floors and frescoed by by Antonio Tempesta.The two grand apartments at first .The two grand apartments at first floor level are symmetrically-matched in plan and complete the remaining enclosure of the courtyard. Each floor level are symmetrically-matched in plan and complete the remaining enclosure of the courtyard. Each has a series of five rooms with has a series of five rooms with state rooms, which begin with the largest reception hall nearest the entrance , which begin with the largest reception hall nearest the entrance and proceed, with increasing intimacy and decreased size, to a bedroom, wardrobe and and proceed, with increasing intimacy and decreased size, to a bedroom, wardrobe and studiolo at the at the northern end; an ordered suite that would become standardized in the 17th century as the northern end; an ordered suite that would become standardized in the 17th century as the Baroque state apartment. The different orientations of these two apartments allows for a seasonal . The different orientations of these two apartments allows for a seasonal differentiation; the east, or summer apartment is associated with the active life, the west, or winter range differentiation; the east, or summer apartment is associated with the active life, the west, or winter range with the contemplative life.with the contemplative life.[7] The scrupulous symmetrical balance of the two apartments is carried through The scrupulous symmetrical balance of the two apartments is carried through by their matching by their matching parterre gardens, each reached by a bridge across the gardens, each reached by a bridge across the moat and cut into the hillslope.The and cut into the hillslope.The suites are famous for their suites are famous for their Mannerist frescoes. The frescoes. The iconograhic program of frescoes expressing the glory of of frescoes expressing the glory of the Farnese were worked out by the humanists in Farnese's court, notably his secretary, the Farnese were worked out by the humanists in Farnese's court, notably his secretary, Annibale Caro;;[8][8] The fresco cycles portray the exploits of The fresco cycles portray the exploits of Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great, and of course of the Farnese themselves: in , and of course of the Farnese themselves: in the the Sala dei Fasti FarnesianiSala dei Fasti Farnesiani (the Room of Farnese Deeds), decorated by the brothers (the Room of Farnese Deeds), decorated by the brothers TaddeoTaddeo and and Federico Federico ZuccariZuccari, the Farnese are depicted at all their most glorious moments, from floor to coffered ceiling., the Farnese are depicted at all their most glorious moments, from floor to coffered ceiling. [9][9] Other Other artists employed in fresco decoration include artists employed in fresco decoration include Giacomo ZanguidiGiacomo Zanguidi (il Bertoia), (il Bertoia), Raffaellino da ReggioRaffaellino da Reggio, , Antonio Antonio TempestaTempesta, , Giacomo del DucaGiacomo del Duca, and , and Giovanni De VecchiGiovanni De Vecchi.Among the frescoed subjects of the contemplative .Among the frescoed subjects of the contemplative winter suite is the famous "Room of the World Map" or winter suite is the famous "Room of the World Map" or Sala del MappamondoSala del Mappamondo, displaying the whole known , displaying the whole known world as it was in 1574 when the frescoes were completed.world as it was in 1574 when the frescoes were completed. [10][10] Above, the frescoed vault depicts the celestial Above, the frescoed vault depicts the celestial spheres and the constellations of the spheres and the constellations of the zodiaczodiac

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