The Villino Rosso is part of the Villa Torlonia estate and is situated at the corner of via L. Spallanzani and via Siracusa. It was built in 1920 for Prince Torlonia’s financial administrator.

The building has three levels: on the ground floor there is an entrance from the gardens located on via L. Spallanzani. This entrance has a ramp leading to a bridge which terminates with a marble sphinx on each side. The sphinxes come from a fountain created by Valadier for the TorloniaPalace. From the gardens there is also an entrance to the basement located under the bridge.

An odd detail: the mosaic pavement in the oval sitting room represents an Arab phoenix, an emblem which has become for more than two centuries the Academy’s logo. A recall to the Academy and its history which suggested a predestination of the “Villino Rosso” to become the Academy ‘s headquartes? Maybe.. the fact is, that like the phoenix which resurrects from its ashes, the Academy after many years of wandering, was finally reborn when transferred to the Villino Rosso. And is it just a coincidence that it is located on a street dedicated to one of the Academy’s founders: Lazzaro Spallanzani.