Residence Palazzo Cardinal Simoncelli

About the Palazzo

Art History

Palazzo Cardinal Simoncelli was built as an opulent summer villa by Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli (1522-1605) with the financial support of his uncle Pope Julius III. No expense was spared in its construction and decoration. Today, its decorated vaulted frescoes by Girolamo Muziano (1532-1592) and sculptured gold leaf stucco-work by Fernando Fancelli are considered to be amongst Italy's finest examples of Late Renaissance Mannerism decoration in the Papal States. Muziano came to be the leading sacred Papal Court artist of his time. Palazzo Cardinal Simoncelli is a listed National Treasure with the Italian Ministero della Cultura.

The decorated vaulted ceiling in the Salone della Caminata, so-named for its opulent hand-carved basalt fireplace, is partitioned into four frescoed and trapezoidal-shaped panels each of which allegorically illustrate a season and its three corresponding zodiacal myths — as described in Igino’s Astronomica. At the parabola the stucco-work and gold leaf-outlined panels frame the evangelical Return of the Prodigal Son alluding to the life of Cardinal Simoncelli and his return to Orvieto in 1570.

Muziano’s use of secular subject materials for a Papal client was audacious. His choice of colours and their brilliance — violet, mustard yellow, emerald green and germanium red — was singularly unique. The extravagant use of naturalistic and highly-sculptured gold leaf stucco-work to frame the Venetian-shaped frescoed panels was over-the-top. And finally, his compositions celebrated a naturalistic flesh-and-blood physiognomy that, like no other artist of his time, brought astrology and mythology to life. All in all, an opulence and ornamental splendour out of the ordinary for a summer residence in the Umbrian countryside.

Location

Orvieto is a full-service and culturally-rich community of population 20,000 in the southwest corner of Umbria, Italy. In close proximity to major transportation links, it is 100 km or 60 miles north of Rome and adjacent to the A1 autostrada between Rome and Florence (Firenze). It can also be conveniently reached in less than one hour by commuter train from Rome or in just over one and one-half hours from Florence.

Some of Tuscany’s finest beaches are within easy driving distance as are winter sports activities at nearby Monte Amiata. Residence Palazzo Cardinal Simoncelli is in the village of Torre San Severo some nine km or six miles by paved road southwest of Orvieto.

Reconstruction & Restoration

In close collaboration with the Italian Ministero della Cultura, an historically-correct structural reconstruction and restoration of the property has been completed. The exterior is finished in the Renaissance style, with outward-facing walls in original, patinated, hand-hewn and cement-rimmed blocks of ochre yellow volcanic tuff while the inward-facing, U-shaped courtyard walls are dressed in elegant straw yellow plaster. Four monumental portico columns and over 100 windows are framed in dove grey volcanic basalt. The tiled roof is framed and decorated at the overhang with a massively sculptured cornice in patinated ochre yellow volcanic tuff. The property is now ready for interior finishing and landscaping.

Interior Design

The proposed interior design contemplates a single residence floor plan (PDF). In the alternative, it could be easily adapted to accommodate up to three apartments each with elevator and circular stairway access. The design offers some 3145 m² or 33,845 ft² of flexible space evenly distributed over four floors with an abundance of natural lighting and a room-to-room flow that is worthy of a National Treasure but rarely seen in a Late Renaissance palazzo. The ground or Noble Floor with its elegant courtyard, portico, large windows and vaulted decorated rooms is the principal reception area of the palazzo. A display of wealth and power in Late Renaissance times, today it offers an ideal indoor-outdoor living space for family and friends and formal entertaining.

The entire second or top floor contemplates a private family residence that is both open and intimate with beautiful sight lines, a courtyard-facing winter garden, an open garden terrace and high wood-beamed and ceramic-tiled ceilings that follow the roof line. Views into the courtyard and across the Umbrian countryside are spectacular. The first floor offers additional bedrooms for the family residence or in the alternative, two spacious and private apartments for friends and guests. And finally, the lowest floor is devoted to three large garages, a vaulted lap pool, wine cellars and HVAC services.

Opportunity

This historically important Papal Court summer villa, minutes away from the strikingly beautiful and vibrant hilltop town of Orvieto, offers the prospective purchaser the opportunity to finish to taste what will be one of Italy's finest privately-owned Late Renaissance estates. Its decorated vaulted frescoes and sculptured gold leaf stucco-work are considered to be amongst the finest examples of Late Renaissance Mannerism decoration. Art, history and craftsmanship. All told, an opulence and ornamental splendour out of the ordinary for a summer residence in the Umbrian countryside.

Final work will take approximately 18 months and could be completed to the highest standards by the current owners on behalf of the purchaser and their design professionals. Enquire with the owners, your realtor or design professionals for more information about this opportunity.