While the villa has Renaissance-style elements, it also incorporates styles from various refurbishments over the centuries.. The villa is named after a twentieth century Giraffe statue in one of the courtyards. Isabella d'Este, wife of the Marquis Francesco II Gonzaga, donated the villa to the Capuchin order, wherein they established a monastery. The monks were expelled by the Napoleonic government, and the buildings were made into a military hospital. Later the building was used as an inn and a school.[1] Presently the site and gardens is not in use and pending restoration.[2]
