Villa Torlonia Tours

Once Benito Mussolini’s private residence, this group of three neo-Classical and Art Nouveau villas—the Casina delle Civette, the Casino dei Principi, and the Casino Nobile—is now a museum. Villa Torlonia, set on beautiful grounds in the center of Rome, is known for its impressive collection of stained glass, furnishings, sculpture, and Italian art.
The Basics
Originally designed in the early 19th century by Giuseppe Valadier and Giuseppe Jappelli for the Roman banker Giovanni Torlonia and his family, Villa Torlonia later became home to Mussolini; “the Leader” lived here from 1920 until the end of World War II. The three buildings are surrounded by lush gardens with a number of decorative pavilions and obelisks; underground are Jewish catacombs dating from the third century and an air-raid shelter later converted to a bunker during the World War II (not currently open to the public). The Torlonia family, and in particular Giovanni and his son Alessandro, were avid art collectors, and the villa is home to a small portion of their original collection.
If you’re already acquainted with Rome’s main attractions and would like to discover some of the city’s lesser-known sites, consider taking a guided tour of Villa Torlonia and the nearby Quartiere Coppedè neighborhood.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas must be left in the cloakroom.
- Touring the buildings and gardens requires a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen.
- The buildings are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers via ramps and elevators.
- Photography without flash is permitted inside the villas, but not during special exhibitions.
How to Get There
Villa Torlonia is located along Via Nomentana; a number of buses run from Rome’s main Termini train station to the Trieste/Nomentana stop near the villa.
When to Get There
One of the main draws of Villa Torlonia are the lovely grounds, which are in full bloom in spring and fall. The museum is closed on Mondays.
The Owl House
Although Casino Nobile is the main building, the most charming is the House of the Little Owls (Casina delle Civette), a whimsical cottage with loggias, porticos, turrets, and stained-glass windows.
Address: Via Nomentana, 70, Rome, Italy
Admission: Varies
2 Tours and Activities to Experience Villa Torlonia
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Rome Tailor-Made: Create Your Private Tour
Visiting Rome is all about the fun of planning the details of your trip. What’s better than having your own personal travel guide? Whether you have already visited the beaten paths, or you just want to ditch the set itineraries and build your own custom-made one, Rome is now at your feet. You guessed it, now you're the designer! Start with picking up one of our adjustable itineraries and duration.
Once in Rome, meet your guide at your accommodation and just outline the desired content of your tour. Your private local guide will answer all your questions, disclose the amazing secrets of the Eternal city, and lead your tour according to your very own interests and needs. There's even more! Thinking about giving a gift with a difference? Buy this package for a friend or loved one and provide your lucky recipient with a real life experience in any of our list of options. It's simple and easy: all you need to do is choose the date, tour duration and number of participants!
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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