The building is often referred to as Villa Aurora or Casino dell'Aurora, after the fresco by Guercino in the main reception hall, depicting the eponymous goddess.

The Cardinal was a diplomat, intellectual, art connoisseur, and collector, protector and patron of famous figures such as Galileo Galilei and Caravaggio.

One of the smaller rooms of the Casino boasts the only painting ever executed by Caravaggio on a ceiling, Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto (c. 1597), which reflects, in symbolic imagery derived from Classical mythology, another of the cardinal's interests: alchemy.

Meanwhile, the 2,200 square metres (24,000 sq ft) Villa Aurora and a small parcel of land remained in the possession of the Ludovisi family.

A judge ruled that the property was not being properly maintained after the collapse of a wall, and that Princess Rita, who was living in the villa, had organised unauthorised tours—she denied that.