Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The City Hall, Villa Corsini Sarsina

Anzio, Italy

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Converter

This day we took a walk along the beach to view Roman Emperor Nero's Villa. We tried to get into the Archaeological Park, but it was closed for special filming.

We continued to walk around until we found this other beautiful Villa, the Corsini Sarsina Villa which is now functioning as the City Hall of Anzio.

The front of Villa Adele Corsini, now functioning as City Hall

The Villa Corsini Sarsina, also known as Villa Adele Corsini, is an historic villa in Anzio, Italy.

We thought it looked very special and was of significance, but we didn't know what this building was. We walked up the staircases to appreciate the view, and we knocked on the several doors we found both below and on the second floor. We saw signs that said it was closed.

This building is believed to have been built between 1732 and 1735 by Cardinal Neri Maria Corsini of Florence, and has undergone various renovations and modifications over the years.

We found out later that it now serves as the administrative center for the local government and houses various municipal offices and departments.

The back door where we entered

Finally our search led us to the back door which was open.

We were immediately stopped by the guard, saying that the City Hall was in session and no visitors were allowed.

We got to chatting, and Billy asked the guard if he could take a photo of his wife next to that beautiful statue over there. Billy's charm worked because the guard let us in!

Well, only for one photo, he said... but then it led to more!

A Grecian statue inside City Hall

Here I am next to this Helenic statue looking like I'm ready to fall asleep or to pass gas.

I mean, I guess every photo of me can't be a "10". Over my objections on publishing this unflattering photo of me, Billy said "but it's part of the story! That statue got us in!"

So I took one for the team.

Previously, this building housed displaced people from WWII and it suffered very serious damage, some of which was irreparable.

Today the rich internal decorations that once embellished the Villa have disappeared.

Somewhere along the line, this Graceful Greek Statue was purchased and placed here. However, it set off quite the controversy, and in 1909 laws were set in place by the Italian government about ownership of archaeological finds.

It was in 1958 that this Villa was sold to the municipality of Anzio, for 25 million lire.

A painting of the original Villa

This painting shows you what the Villa looked like when it was inhabited as a personal home with its extensive gardens.

So you can see that it was quite the beautiful building. In fact, this building was used as a residence up until 1964. Can you imagine living here?

But to reiterate, the park and this palace was looted when the Germans took this Villa and made it the seat of the German command in WWII. Then afterwards, it became a military hospital.

A crest from the year 1875

Villa Sarsina was inaugurated on Friday, the 19th March, 2010.

It took five years of work, which involved the consolidation, restoration, restructuring and furnishing of the building, to bring Villa Sarsina back to its former glory.

Fresco on the ceiling

Frescoes are a form of mural painting that involves applying pigments mixed with water onto wet plaster.

This technique allows the colors to be absorbed by the plaster as it dries, creating a durable and long-lasting work of art.

The origins of frescoes dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, but it wasn't until the Renaissance period in Europe, especially in Italy, that this style of fresco painting reached its peak of popularity and artistic achievement.

Artists such as Giotto, Michelangelo, and Raphael created magnificent frescoes that adorned the walls of churches and palaces.

More ceiling and wall fresco work

Frescoes are known for their durability, because they become part of the wall surface.

They can withstand the test of time, as we see by the surviving frescoes from ancient Rome and the Renaissance period of Europe. This style of painting requires a high level of skill and expertise, because the artist must work quickly to complete each section before the plaster dries.

A closer look at this small wall fresco

Here you see several cherubs in this fresco. This inclusion of child-like angels into the fresco dates back to Roman and Greek times and symbolizes virtue and innocence.

The City Hall worker who let us in

This young man took us on a "private  tour" upstairs and downstairs after initially telling us we couldn't get in.

We are really grateful.

I guess charm and authenticity really works!

__________

City Hall, previously known as Villa Corsini Sarsina 

Via Risorgimento, 00042 Anzio RM, Italy

Open Monday through Friday 9-5 Closed Weekends

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

HOME   Book Store

Retire Early Lifestyle Blog      About Billy & Akaisha Kaderli      Press     Contact     20 Questions     Preferred Links    

Retirement     Country Info     Retiree Interviews      Commentary     REL Videos