The villa occupies the site of an old Benedictine convent. In the 16th century the estate was developed by Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, son of Lucrezia Borgia. A palace was designed by Pirro Ligorio to make the most of its hilltop position. It was the terrace gardens and fountains though that brought fame. The fountains are quite remarkable and still give a vivid impression of the great luxury which the princes of the church enjoyed.

Today the Villa d’Este is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.