The Nymphaeum has a Doric circular temple in its center, which has been restored with its frieze in the 1950s, together with a statue of Venus, found there. It was dedicated to the Goddess Venus, ancestor of the Gens Julia and patroness of the Imperial House since the time of Augustus.
Around the Temple was an open area surrounded by a semicircular portico, with two exedras on the side; they had opus sectile floors made of precious marbles, of which several restored fragments remain. The columns of the portico, however, have disappeared, and so did the capitals.
A Roman road is passing under the Casino Fede with an artificial tunnel; it still has the original paving, with the grooves left by the wheels of the wagons. It belonged to the Villa's service road network, which was mostly subterranean: we will describe it in a future post. Unfortunately the road it is not open to the public and can only be seen from above.
The Nymphaeum stands on a high tuff cliff, with a retaining wall decorated with niches revetted with 'tartari' (fake stalactites). This was a monumental and scenic entrance for people coming from the Greek Theatre.
A similar wall with identical decoration can also be seen on the opposite side, going up towards the Poecile.