THE VILLA PI A 
or Casino of the Pope, situated in the gardens of the Vatican at Rome. Begun by Pope Paul 
IV and finished in I 560 during the term of his successor Pius IV. The architect was Pirro 
Ligorio. His original plans provided an open hall attached to the side of a water basin. 
Behind this was an oval open court leading to another open hall to which were attached the 
principal buildings of the villa. Among these is a tower having a loggia whence a fine view can 
be enjoyed of the gardens, the city and the river Tiber. The sculptures and ornaments are the 
work of the following artists : Federigo Zuccheri, Federigo Barocci, Santi di Tito, Leonardo 
Cugni, Durante del Nero, Giovanni del Corso, Schiavone and Orazio Sammacchini. The 
fountains of the inner court and of the loggia were designed by Giovanni Vasanzio. Lanciani 
considers this villa with its grounds not unlike the smaller Roman villas and gardens of antiquity. 
