Fendi Revives the Grotto of Diana at Villa d’Este

On 6 May 2025, the Grotto of Diana at Villa d’Este in Rome reopened to the public after being closed for nearly fifty years.

This Renaissance treasure, hidden within the villa’s iconic gardens, has been meticulously restored thanks to the cultural patronage of Fendi and its collaboration with VILLÆ, the Autonomous Institute of Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este.

The grotto, untouched since the 1980s, underwent a careful restoration beginning in 2023.

The work included structural reinforcement, intricate conservation of mosaics and statuary, and the installation of a discreet glass barrier to limit environmental damage.

Fendi’s centenary year made the reopening particularly meaningful.

“This project expresses our enduring devotion to Italy’s heritage,” said Silvia Venturini Fendi. “It allows us to preserve and share a fragment of timeless beauty.”

Dating to the late 16th century, the Grotto of Diana embodies a poetic dialogue between myth and landscape.

Inspired by Ovid, it features marine motifs, shell mosaics, and symbols of the Este family, all culminating in a sweeping view over the Roman countryside.

The restoration reaffirms Fendi’s role as a guardian of cultural heritage and a patron of enduring elegance.