VI
EN
Kitty Spencer was born into the aristocratic Spencer family. Her father is the 9th Earl Spencer, Sir Charles Edward Maurice Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana. Her mother is Victoria Lockwood, a former British model. She is a maternal cousin of Princes Harry and William.
Despite being the daughter of a long-established British family and growing up in South Africa, Kitty Spencer chose Italy as her wedding destination. This is perhaps due to "Kitty's love for Italy; she truly loves the culture and art of our country," as quoted by designer Domenico Dolce.
The wedding ceremony took place at Villa Aldobrandini near Rome. This is an ancient mansion belonging to the Italian aristocratic Aldobrandini family, who still live there today. Previously, it was a private castle of a Cardinal, built in 1550, spacious enough to accommodate the Pope.
Villa Aldobrandini is a symbol of Italian Baroque architecture. However, the most distinctive feature of this ancient building lies not in its architecture but in the lush gardens surrounding it. In addition, numerous statues of gods, fountains, and meticulously manicured gardens contribute to the beauty of the grounds. Inside, the palace is decorated in the maximalist style favored by the aristocracy.
The surroundings of the villa are incredibly beautiful, with its expansive facade, hilltop location, and numerous terraces offering panoramic views that are both majestic and picturesque. From the city of Rome, visitors can see a part of Villa Aldobrandini.
The grand avenue leading to the villa is surrounded by rows of trees that curve to form a tunnel. The garden is mainly planted with long-lived trees such as portulaca, hydrangeas, oak, and chestnut.
Behind the garden is an aqueduct system that brings water from an 8-kilometer-long stream flowing down from the top of Mount Algido. A higher section of the garden is now abandoned due to damage from World War II. Although many ancient statues are missing and the fountains are no longer functioning, the garden's landscape remains beautiful and picturesque.
Today, because people still live in the mansion, visitors can only visit and stroll around the famous gardens.
