On the occasion of its 5th anniversary, Fendi celebrates the milestone by contributing to the valorization of the Italian artistic heritage, supporting the restoration of the Grotta di Diana, one of the hidden jewels of Villa d'Este in Tivoli. After more than fifty years of closure and two years of conservation work, on May XNUMXth the suggestive nymphaeum will be accessible to the public again.
The project was promoted by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Villae Institute, and saw the contribution of the historic Roman maison — now part of the LVMH group — which chose to honor its roots and its city by supporting a symbolic place of Italian beauty.
Silvia Venturini Fendi, creative director of the men's and accessories line, defined the project as "a gesture of deep affection", underlining how this commitment arises from an authentic bond with Rome and aims to pass on cultural and artistic values to future generations.
The Grotto of Diana, built between 1570 and 1572, stands out for its rich decorative apparatus: mosaics, shells, stones and sculptures inspired by classical mythology and in particular by the Metamorphosis by Ovid. A work that blends natural and symbolic elements in a scenographic setting, located in the upper part of the villa's gardens.
The restoration, carried out under the scientific direction of the Autonomous Institute of Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este, allowed the recovery of the original decorations and the protection of the environment thanks to a new glass window and a lighting system designed to enhance the artistic details without altering their authenticity. Andrea Bruciati, director of the Villae Institute, described the project as a "new adventure of knowledge", capable of connecting historical memory and contemporary vision.
Fendi’s support for this initiative confirms the maison’s vocation for cultural patronage. It is not an isolated case: in the past, the brand has financed important restoration projects such as that of the Trevi Fountain and the Quattro Fontane complex in Rome. To accompany the reopening of the Grotta di Diana, a volume was also created, published by Skira, which traces the history and phases of the restoration, offering the public a valuable tool for further study.
