Inside the garden of the Villa Farnesina (which can only be visited by appointment) is the best-preserved section of the northern portion of the Aurelian Wall of Trastevere. The defensive structure forms the southern boundary of the property. A section of wall about 80 metres long is still preserved and along this are two clearly visible towers, preserved up to the height of the upper walkway. The long section relates to the outer wall of the fortification from which the two surviving towers protrude. The lower part of the masonry shows a reinforcement with a structure of large tuff blocks bordered at the top by a frame of shaped and stuccoed bricks possibly dating from the Renaissance period. The two low buildings leaning against the masonry and partly made of ancient material were perhaps built in the 1930s. A small Renaissance fountain imitating a natural grotto, framed by a stone mosaic, adjoins the walls. In the middle is a sculpture of a draped female holding a half-open shell: although the upper part has been heavily restored, it can be identified with an Aphrodite of the Siracusa type, datable to the Roman period, but with significant variants that suggest it may be a nymph. The garden also contains a number of Roman artefacts, probably from excavations on the property (Corinthian capitals, a strigilated sarcophagus basin reused as a fountain, a colossal head of Triton used as a water spout, and a sarcophagus with winged Victories).
