The villa was built in 1535 by Italian builders and was modelled on the estates from the vicinity of Florence and Rome which were fashionable in Europe at that time. The palace has a turbulent past – it was used as military barracks during World War I, and German police operated there during World War II. After the war, it was turned into a tuberculosis ward, and then fell into disrepair. Today, the renovated the Decius Villa is the seat of the Decius Villa Association, people with passion who want to protect their cultural heritage. In the palace, there is a publishing house, and numerous conferences, meetings, balls and cultural festivals are held there. At the beginning of 2019, in the historic palace complex of the Decius Villa, the Krakow City Council appointed a new municipal institution – the Decius Villa Institute of Culture. The Institute creates a multidimensional space conducive to the integration and development of the inhabitants of Krakow through the international exchange of good practices, supporting openness and creativity, as well as constant educational activity. The Institute's projects share a common ground – the cultural heritage which is inextricably linked with Krakow and the Renaissance Decius Villa, which is also open to visitors on selected days of the week. The palace and park complex currently includes the Decius Villa building and two outbuildings, as well as the surrounding park.