Villa Giulia was built on the initiative of Pope Julius III in 1551-1553, the outskirts of the city. Today, the building houses the national Museum of the Etruscan culture, which houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts of the era of the Etruscans.

Pope Julius III, highly educated connoisseur of art, commissioned the construction of the Villa of Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. However, the Nymphaeum (a small Shrine dedicated to water nymphs) and a number of other garden buildings were completed by Bartolomeo Ammannati under the direction of Giorgio Vasari. In addition the Villa at one time worked and the great Michelangelo.

Julius III was personally interested in the construction and decoration of the Villa, so spent a lot of money. As a result, the building became one of the most outstanding examples of the style of mannerism in architecture. After the death of a Pope, his successor, Paul IV, gave the main building and part of the garden to the ownership of the Apostolic Chamber. In 1769, the Villa was renovated, and a century later confiscated by the Italian government. At the beginning of the 20th century, the building housed the national Museum of Etruscan culture.

Till today only part of the Villa Giulia has retained its original appearance, including the three vineyards stretching to the Tiber (Julius III often visited them on the boat). Villa traditionally had the main entrance (from the street via Flaminia) and minor, from the garden. Facing the city's two-story facade is quite sad: in the center is an ornate details triumphal arch, and on either side of her – Doric columns. The rear façade of the Villa semicircular loggia rises above three courtyards. There is a "casino" is a small extension, through which visitors come to the Villa. Special attention is drawn to the Nymphaeum, designed for al fresco dining during the summer heat. This three-tier structure with marble statues depicting the river of the gods, erected around the fountain of the Aqua Vergine. The fountain was designed by the Vasari and Ammannati (source water for him, aqueduct of the Aqua Vergine also supplies the Trevi fountain).