Villa Torlonia
Villa Torlonia
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Nomentano
How to get there
- Policlinico • 8 min walk
- Bologna • 10 min walk
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4.0
501 reviews
Excellent
228
Very good
200
Average
50
Poor
14
Terrible
9
John A Carter
Lower Sackville, Canada5,220 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
This was a villa that was turned into a park by the government after the owner left it in neglect. It’s a number of different buildings. Most of them have no practical purpose and we’re just for different purposes one of the houses Mussolini stayed there during the second World War™, he rented it from the owner Allegedly for a dollar a year. I don’t recommend buying a ticket as it is expensive and doesn’t provide much value. The exterior is where most of the interesting stuff is and that is free to walk around the park.
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane M
Rome, Italy67 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
The Villa Torlonia park and museums are a delightful Roman break from ancient ruins (although you can find them!). The park is small but charming in a way the Pamphilji and Borghese parks are not, and it’s a welcome change. Parks in Rome in general aren’t well cared for, and this one is no exception, but there is a feeling here of nature letting loose instead of humans simply not caring about planned spaces. The lines of tall palm trees are stunning, and as you walk through there’s a feeling of outdoor rooms, each with its own character.
In February 2017 a combination ticket for the museums cost 9.50 euros and included the Casino Nobile and the Casina della Civette. You can also buy tickets for the two museums separately. Mussolini’s bunker was closed to visits. The Casino Nobile is a stunning neoclassical mansion with beautiful rooms - well worth a visit. The Casina della Civette, or Owl House, is a delightful house filled with quirky rooms and truly beautiful stained glass windows. It’s such a change from the usual Roman sites it’s hard to believe you’re in Rome! You can buy your ticket either at the main entrance to the park at the big gate along the via Nomentana, or in the Casino Nobile itself. You cannot buy a ticket at the Casina della Civette itself. The staff working at both locations were friendly and helpful.
There is a nice large restaurant in the park, La Limonaia, where you can sit either inside or outside for a meal or drinks. There is a Sunday brunch buffet that we didn’t try but looked quite good. Get there before 12:30 if you’d like to try it. The pizzas we had outside were good if nothing out of the ordinary for Rome. Still, the setting was pleasant, the outside service friendly, and we had a great time.
The Villa Torlonia Park is a few minutes walk from Tram 3’s Regina Margherita / Nomentana stop. Since the Tram 3 route was extended last summer from the Valle Giulia to the Trastevere station, it’s ideal for tourists as it snakes by so many of Rome’s top sites.
Finally, if you have the time and interest, the Quartiere Coppede neighborhood is about a ten minute walk north of the Villa Torlonia park, and barely five minutes from the tram stop. Head for the Piazza Mincio to be utterly surprised and enchanted by what looks like a fairy tale neighborhood. Truly, it’s an off-the-beaten path wonder that will have you convinced that Rome is not all about ancient ruins and Baroque churches!
In February 2017 a combination ticket for the museums cost 9.50 euros and included the Casino Nobile and the Casina della Civette. You can also buy tickets for the two museums separately. Mussolini’s bunker was closed to visits. The Casino Nobile is a stunning neoclassical mansion with beautiful rooms - well worth a visit. The Casina della Civette, or Owl House, is a delightful house filled with quirky rooms and truly beautiful stained glass windows. It’s such a change from the usual Roman sites it’s hard to believe you’re in Rome! You can buy your ticket either at the main entrance to the park at the big gate along the via Nomentana, or in the Casino Nobile itself. You cannot buy a ticket at the Casina della Civette itself. The staff working at both locations were friendly and helpful.
There is a nice large restaurant in the park, La Limonaia, where you can sit either inside or outside for a meal or drinks. There is a Sunday brunch buffet that we didn’t try but looked quite good. Get there before 12:30 if you’d like to try it. The pizzas we had outside were good if nothing out of the ordinary for Rome. Still, the setting was pleasant, the outside service friendly, and we had a great time.
The Villa Torlonia Park is a few minutes walk from Tram 3’s Regina Margherita / Nomentana stop. Since the Tram 3 route was extended last summer from the Valle Giulia to the Trastevere station, it’s ideal for tourists as it snakes by so many of Rome’s top sites.
Finally, if you have the time and interest, the Quartiere Coppede neighborhood is about a ten minute walk north of the Villa Torlonia park, and barely five minutes from the tram stop. Head for the Piazza Mincio to be utterly surprised and enchanted by what looks like a fairy tale neighborhood. Truly, it’s an off-the-beaten path wonder that will have you convinced that Rome is not all about ancient ruins and Baroque churches!
Written 18 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisabeth W
Voorburg, The Netherlands12 contributions
Sept 2012 • Solo
Then go and visit this villa that belonged to the Torlonia family. Enjoy the lay out of this park and feel the history. Mussolini lived here, the Anglo-American troops used it as their headquarters until 1947 and after they left it was left alone and thoroughly neglected for 30 years. Since la Comuna di Roma acquired the estate part of the buildings are restaured. Visit the villa or Casino Nobile and the interesting Casina delle Civette ( house of the owls) where the last prince of Torlonia lived as Mussolini and his family used the Casino Nobile, and top it off with a lunch in the Limonaia.
Entrance fee, seperate for villa and casina, tickets to be bought upon entering the park.
Open 9.00 -19.00 Tuesdays-Sundays. Gardens and park free entrance.
Entrance fee, seperate for villa and casina, tickets to be bought upon entering the park.
Open 9.00 -19.00 Tuesdays-Sundays. Gardens and park free entrance.
Written 4 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aohphilly
philadelphia42 contributions
June 2019 • Family
I've been to Rome a number of times and try to do something new every time I go. My sister and I were heading over to see Quartiere Coppedè (also highly recommended), and figured this would be a cool place to stop. It delivered much more than we anticipated. The gardens are open to the public; the three museums are available for an all-inclusive, eleven-Euro ticket. The main building, beautifully restored, houses some of the art collection of the Torlonia family as well as some great modern Roman art. Mussolini appropriated this villa for a while, which is acknowledged and explained without sensationalism, and there is a movie that goes through the history of the space. The second building had a terrific modern art exhibition; there was a Venetian glass exhibit; and my favorite building, the Owlery, has some of the most remarkable stained glass. This was juxtaposed with a modern ceramic exhibit, which was also cool. We didn't get to see all of the grounds (it was very hot), but there are two modern obelisks, a (non-original) Temple of Saturn, and a wonderful cafe. It was a real oasis and is probably a great place to sit outside when the weather is a little cooler. Highly recommended if you want a little quirk! One caveat — you have to take the bus there, which is not for the faint of heart. No nearby subway stops. If you walk over to Quartiere Coppedè after, you can take a bus or a tram (and see the super-cool, peacock-festooned church in the Piazza Buenos Aires).
Written 5 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aaly-oop
Philadelphia, PA24 contributions
June 2014 • Couples
I visited Villa Torlonia last week while in Rome. To be honest, I stopped in because it was close to our hotel and my husband had to work for a couple of hours. I was astounded! The Villa Nobile, which sits in the center of a large garden, has been completely restored after falling to ruin after the 2nd World War when it was occupied by the army. The rooms are just beautiful. Also not to miss is the Casina delle Civette (house of the owls), also in the compound, which has spectacular stained glass. I was there with (literally) one other person; I couldn't believe this fantastic site is not more popular. Also highly recommend the restaurant in the Limonaia (also in the garden). We had a delightful meal there. If you're sick of queuing for the other sites and fighting the crowds, take buses 90 or 68 to arrive at the Villa Torlonia in 10 minutes from Stazione Termini. You won't be sorry.
Written 3 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyMTL
Montreal, Canada76 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
Villa Torlonia is a wonderfully landscaped park, a quiet oasis in an otherwise often moving city. Comprising running paths, lawns for relaxing, a dog park (across the street), a museum, a cat sanctuary, a café restaurant, a playground, a former equine arena, and some features still under restoration, this historic city park is simply a nice place for a leisurely walk.
One can stop and admire the flowers year round (I've seen blooms in December on 200+ year old plants in the gardens). One can read on the lawn near the fountain. There is free ProvinciaWiFi available for Roman citizens.
A short walk from Metro Bologna or a 20 minute ride from Termini on the Labia Express (who names these things?) brings you to a calm space in which to unwind from all the art and sight-seeing which can overwhelm visitors in such an historic city as Rome.
Note: although the park is free, there are fees to visit the museums, and obviously the restaurant, La Limonaia.
Dog friendly.
Child friendly.
Family friendly.
Couple friendly.
One can stop and admire the flowers year round (I've seen blooms in December on 200+ year old plants in the gardens). One can read on the lawn near the fountain. There is free ProvinciaWiFi available for Roman citizens.
A short walk from Metro Bologna or a 20 minute ride from Termini on the Labia Express (who names these things?) brings you to a calm space in which to unwind from all the art and sight-seeing which can overwhelm visitors in such an historic city as Rome.
Note: although the park is free, there are fees to visit the museums, and obviously the restaurant, La Limonaia.
Dog friendly.
Child friendly.
Family friendly.
Couple friendly.
Written 28 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip P
Herentals, Belgium1,435 contributions
Oct 2019
Great park with beautiful houses/villas/garden/... Just a pity that the inside of the Villa Torlonia could not be visited. What a history - with the impact of WWII leading to decay and luckily enough restauration thanks to public money. Super guide!
Written 25 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mart S
Almere, The Netherlands9 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
Parc itself is not so special. It was very brown and didn't look that well cared for. All the buildings were closed because it was Monday and that isn't clear before you arrive.
Written 21 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nadezda D
Saint Petersburg, Russia58 contributions
May 2016 • Family
I love watching stained glass windows and when I learned about 'House of the Owls' in villa Torlonia, Rome I was wanting to see this famous house with beautiful stained glass collection.
The villa formerly belonging to the Torlonia family was the residence of Prince Giovanni Torlonia until his death in 1938. I was looking at the house inside and was surprised by large stained glass windows on every floor with no two alike.
These were stained glasses of flowers, waterlilies, roses, irises, butterflies, swans, swallows, peacocks, flying autumn leaves, vernal buds, vines, etc. The guide book said that twenty rooms include 54 pieces of stained glass in their original positions, 18 pieces of stained glass acquired and displayed on separate frames.
The villa formerly belonging to the Torlonia family was the residence of Prince Giovanni Torlonia until his death in 1938. I was looking at the house inside and was surprised by large stained glass windows on every floor with no two alike.
These were stained glasses of flowers, waterlilies, roses, irises, butterflies, swans, swallows, peacocks, flying autumn leaves, vernal buds, vines, etc. The guide book said that twenty rooms include 54 pieces of stained glass in their original positions, 18 pieces of stained glass acquired and displayed on separate frames.
Written 25 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bnbass
Utrecht, The Netherlands397 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The alure of the villa is actually not that it's very pretty or an architectural marvel. It's its history that makes it interesting. This is the place in which Mussolini lived before and during WW2. The villa itself was rather damaged after the war but beautifully restored. It's the pictures of the Mussolini family that make it interesting. You see a family just going around their bussines while the world was on fire. Walking around the rustique park you can imagine that Il Duce and his family could create a small paradise for themselves resembling Italian countryside living. The small exhibit tells you the story of the previous owners (the Torlonia family, related to the Borgheses) and how Mussolinin moved in and moved the Marquise to the fairytale like Owl House further on the grounds.
The interesting bonus is the exhibit of Italian degenerate art in the attic. It's art made by artists of the Roman school movement between WW1 and WW2. They were all labelled degenrate (enartet) by Mussolini and were forced to stop or immigrate or disappear. There is some amazing work to be seen and some undiscovered gems with works by Renzo Vespignani, Cerachinni and Francalancia. It feels fitting that these works return to a villa of the same man that banned them. As if to haunt the ghost of Mussolini.
Tip! since 2015 you can also visit Mussolini's bunker in the park. It is small however and limited to visitors. So book some time in advance.
The interesting bonus is the exhibit of Italian degenerate art in the attic. It's art made by artists of the Roman school movement between WW1 and WW2. They were all labelled degenrate (enartet) by Mussolini and were forced to stop or immigrate or disappear. There is some amazing work to be seen and some undiscovered gems with works by Renzo Vespignani, Cerachinni and Francalancia. It feels fitting that these works return to a villa of the same man that banned them. As if to haunt the ghost of Mussolini.
Tip! since 2015 you can also visit Mussolini's bunker in the park. It is small however and limited to visitors. So book some time in advance.
Written 28 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salve dove si può parcheggiare la macchina per raggiungere Villa torlonia? C’è la possibilità di qualche sosta gratuita?
Written 2 October 2022
Oscar Federico D
Yosemite National Park, California
Per entrare nel parco a correre devo pagare un biglietto? O solo per vedere la villa? O non si paga affatto?
Written 24 February 2019
Per il parco non si paga, per le ville sì
Written 24 February 2019
Do we need special tickets for Villa Torlonia or Mussolini's bunker in Rome? Is there a tour in English - what time? Thanks.
Written 13 July 2018
Do we need special tickets to see Villa Torlonia and the Bunker. Is here a tour in English? Thanks for our response. Irene
Written 13 July 2018
HI there
Yes underground bunkers and antiaircraft shelters are open since July 10th , renovations started last year
Ticket for guided tour is 10€ per person, children under ten not pay - one child per adult
The fee for Villa Torlonia is in addition to the bunker one
Reds
Felipe
Written 14 July 2018
When are the private rooms of Mussolini open?
Written 4 April 2018
Yes! You can visit his bedroom and his little studio!
Written 5 April 2018
Ci sono dei bar o ristorantini dentro la villa?
Written 19 July 2017
All'interno di Villa Torlonia, nell'edificio della Limonaia (lato via Lazzaro Spallanzani) al piano terra c'è un ristorante - caffetteria, "La Limonaia" appunto, di cui trovi recensioni su Tripadvisor. Personalmente, lo trovo buono ma decisamente caro, anche se il contesto all'aperto con vista sul parco merita davvero .......
Recensioni visibili su questo sito ricercando "La Limonaia - Roma".
Written 20 July 2017
Salve,quando dura un'intera visita della Villa?x vederla tutta quante ore ci vogliono?grazie
Written 5 May 2016
una seria visita alla Villa dura un'intera mattinata. E' un luogo magnifico : non solo la Villa ma anche è ineludibile la visita all'attigua "palazzina delle civette" in stile liberty che raccoglie una bellissima raccolta di quadri della scuola romana . D'altra parte quando si è stanchi c'è un posto di ristoro dove riposarsi e mangiare qualcosa
Written 5 May 2018
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