Monticello USA Postcard

Monticello, located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, is the iconic estate of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. The name itself means 'Little Mountain' in Italian, reflecting its position atop a small rise with beautiful views. Jefferson designed Monticello over decades, using Neoclassical principles inspired by ancient Roman architecture and the works of Palladio, particularly making the dome a hallmark. The site is noteable for its ingenious architectural details and also for being a working plantation that illuminates the complex history of slavery in early America. Monticello was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.