Orti Farnesiani (Farnese Gardens), Rome

Back in the 16th century, powerful cardinals didn’t just throw dinner parties — sometimes they built entire gardens to show off. The Farnese Gardens on Rome’s Palatine Hill are a prime example. Commissioned in 1550 by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, these were among Europe’s very first private botanical gardens — a symbol of one's love for nature (only on one's private estate, curated by experts)...

Cardinal Farnese, offspring of one of Italy’s top-tier noble families, wanted a place where art, science, and a little bit of “self-importance statement” could all flourish together. So, he tasked the architect Giacomo Vignola with the job of creating a leafy paradise directly over ancient palace ruins.

Layered in grand terraces, the gardens offered premier balcony views over the Roman Forum. They came equipped with botanical collections, showy fountains, aviaries full of exotic birds, and ancient sculptures curated like the world’s fanciest yard sale. Hidden grottoes and winding paths gave visitors a delightfully maze-like reminder that wealth can equally buy both beauty and confusion...

The gardens also served as a museum of sorts, housing an extensive collection of frescoes and inscriptions. Many of these were pulled straight from the Palatine ruins, underscoring the garden's connection to the ancient past — a perfect blend of “new luxury” and “very old bragging rights.”

While the original splendor of the Farnese Gardens has faded over time, the remains have been partially restored and can be visited as part of the Palatine Hill archaeological site. Today, you can walk through the terraces and enjoy the sweeping views that once made ancient emperors and Renaissance elites swoon...