Princess be kicked out?
Italy’s aristocracy is used to arguments. But the quarrel over the villa with the Caravaggio ceiling painting by the Princess Boncompagni Ludovisi surpasses everything. Now it is to be cleared. Italy is rich in dramas about the fate of venerable villas and palaces, especially when their heirs are nobles. Double and triple titles are impressive and adorning, but more often than not they no longer deliver on the promise they once made. Money is lacking to maintain the old walls, the beautiful creation is forgotten and the heritage is fought to the death.
The aristocracy in Italy is well versed in this regard, which is why some in Rome have taken a gamble on Princess Rita Carter Boncompagne Ludovisi, born in San Antonio, Texas, who in her former life was a professor of politics, entertainment reporter for Fox News, a wife who was a Democratic Congressman.
And the Playboy cover girl caves sooner or later and simply leaves the apple of contention to her aristocratic Roman relatives: Villa Ludovisi, aka Casino Aurora, 463, expertly dressed, property up for auction by court order, and in it the only known ceiling painting in the world by Caravaggio. The target selling price is based on its value.
In January 2022, in the first attempt to put the villa under the hammer, it was valued at 471 million euros. Even for the super-rich, the challenge was too great, not to mention the state, which could only claim its right of first refusal if a special offer was received first. No buyers were found for the next four dates either, although the price dropped by 20% each time.
At the next auction, on April 6, it is estimated to be worth just €140 million. Until the final sale, the princess has the right to live in the village. But now a court in Rome has ordered the eviction. The Princess has a minimum period of 15 days and a maximum of 60 days to move out of the building where she has lived since 2009.
Reason: The property is not properly maintained. Proof of this is a piece of marble that came off one of the outer walls and fell into the street. The princess believes in a plot by her three sons-in-law to scare her out of the villa. She sought help from the Minister of Culture and her lawyers want to appeal the eviction decision.
If this is not granted, the carabinieri have powers from March 10th to expel the princess. We can only hope that such a mission is averted. The 73-year-old princess once said that she remained a Texas native even after moving to Rome.
It is immediately believed that she is capable of attaching herself to the villa if necessary to assert her rights. Perhaps the Italian aristocracy will still learn something from this.
