A house straight out of a fairy tale

The Casina delle Civette ("House of the Owls") is one of the most surprising and photogenic spots in Rome: a small building that looks like it stepped out of a Nordic fairy tale, tucked into the heart of the Villa Torlonia park. With its turrets, loggias, sloping roofs, colorful majolica and carved woodwork, it is the city's most captivating example of Art Nouveau (Liberty style) architecture. But its true treasure lies in its extraordinary stained-glass windows.

The name comes from a motif that recurs throughout the decoration: the owls, which along with bats, peacocks, flowers and dragons populate the windows and the majolica in a fairy-tale world that is at times unsettling.

The stained-glass windows

The heart of the Casina is its polychrome stained-glass windows, now gathered in the Museum of Art Nouveau Stained Glass, the only one of its kind in Rome. Crafted in the early 1900s by master glassmakers from artists' designs, they depict owls, roses, ivy, landscapes and figures with exceptional quality and a remarkable range of color. The light filtering through them creates a magical atmosphere, different in every room. It is an unforgettable visual experience, especially for lovers of design and the decorative arts.

Want to visit the Casina delle Civette and Villa Torlonia with a private driver?

My Rome Driver takes you to Via Nomentana and waits while you explore, ready for your next stop. Flat rate, door to door.

Check availability and get a quote

Reply within 30 minutes · Flat rate · Free cancellation up to 24h before

From a prince's residence to a museum

Originally, in the 1800s, it was a simple "Swiss chalet" in the park. Between the late 1800s and the early 1900s it was transformed into the eccentric home of Prince Giovanni Torlonia Jr., who made it his secluded retreat, far from the Casino Nobile. After decades of neglect and a fire, the Casina was expertly restored and opened to the public as a museum: a rare example of Roman Art Nouveau saved and brought back to life.

What to look for on your visit

As you explore, look for:

  • The stained-glass windows in the different rooms (the owl, the roses, the ivy, the peacock).
  • The colorful majolica and the details in wrought iron and wood.
  • The intimate, irregular rooms, designed as a private retreat.
  • The contrast with the grandeur of the nearby Casino Nobile.

How to plan your visit

The Casina delle Civette is visited with a ticket (see our guide to Villa Torlonia tickets and opening hours). Allow around 40-45 minutes to enjoy the windows at a relaxed pace. It pairs perfectly with the Casino Nobile and a stroll through the park.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Casina delle Civette? A small Art Nouveau (Liberty style) building in the Villa Torlonia park, much like a fairy-tale house, famous for its extraordinary stained-glass windows. Today it houses the Museum of Art Nouveau Stained Glass.

Why is it called "delle Civette" (of the Owls)? Because of a motif that recurs in its decoration and windows: the owls, which along with other animals and flowers fill the house's fairy-tale world.

What can you see inside? The stunning polychrome stained-glass windows of the Museum of Art Nouveau Stained Glass, the majolica, the iron and wood details, and the intimate rooms of Prince Torlonia's former home.

How much time do you need for the visit? About 40-45 minutes to admire the windows at leisure; more if you add the Casino Nobile and the park.

Is the Casina delle Civette a good fit for design lovers? Absolutely: it is the most captivating example of Art Nouveau (Liberty style) in Rome, a must-see for anyone passionate about the decorative arts, stained glass and Art Nouveau.

See also

Book a driver for Villa Torlonia

Flat rate · ZTL access · Door to door

Article #376 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026