A villa to discover building by building

Villa Torlonia isn't a single monument but a park dotted with separate buildings, each with its own story. Here's what you can't miss on your visit.

The Casina delle Civette

The crown jewel is the Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls), an Art Nouveau / Liberty-style structure that looks straight out of a fairy tale: turrets, loggias, majolica tilework, and above all extraordinary stained-glass windows decorated with owls (the source of its name), peacocks, flowers, and dragons. Today it houses the Museum of Art Nouveau Stained Glass, one of a kind. We've given it its own guide: the Casina delle Civette.

The Casino Nobile

The Casino Nobile is the main building, the former residence of the Torlonia family and later of Mussolini. Today it houses the Museum of the Villa, with furnishings, sculptures, and a rich collection from the Roman School (Scuola Romana), the painting movement of the early twentieth century. The rooms still breathe the atmosphere of a grand aristocratic estate.

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Mussolini's bunker

One of the most sought-after experiences is the visit to the air-raid shelters and the gas-proof bunker that Mussolini had built beneath the villa during the Second World War. The tour (guided, by reservation) brings the history of those years to life in a direct, evocative way: a powerful stop for anyone fascinated by twentieth-century history.

The Casino dei Principi and the park

Rounding out the visit:

  • The Casino dei Principi, home to exhibitions and the Archive of the Roman School.
  • The vast English-style park, with avenues, centuries-old trees, mock ruins, an obelisk, and romantic corners, perfect for a free stroll.
  • The greenhouses and other pavilions scattered through the grounds.

How to plan your visit

In about 2 hours you can see the highlights:

  1. The Casina delle Civette (the stained-glass windows)
  2. The Casino Nobile (Museum of the Villa, Roman School)
  3. Mussolini's bunker (by reservation)
  4. A walk through the park

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see at Villa Torlonia? The Casina delle Civette with its Art Nouveau stained-glass windows, the Casino Nobile (Museum of the Villa and the Roman School), Mussolini's bunker, and the vast park with all its curiosities.

What is the Casina delle Civette? An Art Nouveau / Liberty-style building that looks like a fairy-tale cottage, famous for its splendid stained-glass windows featuring owls and other animals; today it's the Museum of Stained Glass.

Can you visit the bunker? Yes: the air-raid shelters and gas-proof bunker commissioned by Mussolini can be seen on a guided tour by reservation, with limited spots. It's one of the villa's most popular experiences.

What's inside the Casino Nobile? The Museum of the Villa, with furnishings, sculptures, and a rich collection from the Roman School, plus the atmosphere of the aristocratic residence later inhabited by Mussolini.

How much time do you need to see everything? About 2 hours for the Casina delle Civette, the Casino Nobile, and the bunker; more if you add a walk through the park.

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Article #375 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026