A Park with Three Souls

Villa Torlonia is one of Rome's most enchanting and least touristy historic estates: a sprawling public park on Via Nomentana that hides some truly surprising buildings and a one-of-a-kind 20th-century story. It was the last great noble villa ever built in Rome, the residence of the immensely wealthy Torlonia family, bankers and patrons of the arts. But it owes its fame to two things above all: the fairy-tale Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls) and the fact that, for nearly twenty years, it was Mussolini's residence.

Today the park is free and beloved by Romans, while the museum buildings and the bunker are open to visitors with a ticket. It's a rare blend of art, nature, and history.

The Casina delle Civette

The villa's jewel is the Casina delle Civette, a small Art Nouveau (Liberty style) building that looks straight out of a storybook: pitched roofs, turrets, majolica tiles, and above all stunning stained-glass windows decorated with owls, flowers, and animals. Today it houses the Museum of Stained Glass. We've devoted a separate guide to it: the Casina delle Civette.

Mussolini's Residence and the Bunker

From 1925 to 1943, Villa Torlonia served as Benito Mussolini's residence, leased to him for a token sum. He and his family lived in the Casino Nobile (the main building), and below ground they built air-raid shelters and a gas-proof bunker, now open to the public: a powerful, history-charged stop and one of the villa's most requested.

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What to See

Beyond the Casina delle Civette and the bunker, the villa offers:

  • The Casino Nobile, home to the Villa Museum and the collection of the Roman School (Scuola Romana) painting movement.
  • The Casino dei Principi.
  • A vast park with tree-lined avenues, faux ruins, the obelisk, and romantic corners.

You'll find the full rundown in our guide on what to see at Villa Torlonia.

How Much Time You Need

A stroll through the park takes just 30 minutes; with the Casina delle Civette, the Casino Nobile, and the bunker, plan on about 2 hours. It makes for a great "off-the-beaten-path" half day, far from the crowds of the center, perfect for repeat visitors or anyone craving something different.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Villa Torlonia? It's a historic villa with a large public park on Via Nomentana, in Rome. It's famous for the fairy-tale Casina delle Civette and for having been Mussolini's residence, with a bunker open to visitors below ground.

Is it true that Villa Torlonia was Mussolini's residence? Yes: from 1925 to 1943 Mussolini lived there with his family, leasing it for a token sum. A bunker was built below ground and is open to visitors today.

What is the Casina delle Civette? A small Art Nouveau (Liberty style) building, much like a fairy-tale house, celebrated for its stunning stained-glass windows; today it's the Museum of Stained Glass.

Is the park free? Yes, the park at Villa Torlonia is public and free. The museums (Casina delle Civette, Casino Nobile) and the bunker are open with a ticket.

How much time do you need for the visit? 30 minutes for the park; about 2 hours including the Casina delle Civette, the Casino Nobile, and the bunker.

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Article #372 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026