The Villa and its park were designed in 1605 for
Cardinal Scipione Borghese. It contained 400 newly-planted pine
trees, garden sculptures by Bernini’s father, Pietro, and
dramatic water works built by Giovanni Fontana. In 1901 the park
became the property of the Italian State. Near Piazza di Siena are
the so called “Casina di Raffaello” and the 18th C “palazzetto
dell’orologio”. These were summer houses from which
people enjoyed the visits across the park.