Casino Nobile

Very unpleasant ticket staff, on the verge of rudeness.

Magnificent

Benito Mussolini lived in Villa Torlonia from 1925 to 1943 paying a symbolic rent of a lira. Instead Prince Torlonia moved to the Casina delle Civette. Mussolini and his family occupied all the floors of the building maintaining for the most part the original furnishings.

Bad organization. At the entrance they cannot read the green passes, ticket office and exit that intertwine. Embarrassing management. Experience to forget

The monumental Casino Nobile is part of the Museums of Villa Torlonia, in District V (Nomentano). The Villa was purchased by the Torlonia family at the end of the 18th century and this 17th century building was present, already modified by Giuseppe Valadier, therefore in the first half of the 14th century, it was considerably enriched with the imposing pronaos with the loggia with eight tall Doric columns, and the gigantic triangular pediment, whose tympanum was adorned with a terracotta bas-relief by Rinaldo Rinaldi, representing “Bacchus triumphantly returning from the Indies”. The 12 rooms on the ground floor plus the magnificent Ballroom were then richly decorated. Along the ground floor we come across several interesting rooms, including: • Bathroom inspired by the "stoves of the sixteenth century, the walls have a dark red background with several valuable paintings, the area where the tub was located is bordered by ancient alabaster columns." • Room in Berceau, with a decorated vault, where three bas-reliefs by Antonio Canova (1757 - 1822) are exhibited, originally present together with seven others (now lost) in the Ballroom. • The Chamber of Psyche, so called because in the vault there are seven panels with paintings (19th century) that tell the “Story of Psyche”. • The Chamber of Italian Poets and Artists, where there are 32 medallions paintings (19th century) representing illustrious Italian artists, such as: Raffaello Sanzio, Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, Michelangelo Buonarroti, etc. • The Ballroom, the most beautiful element, the core of the building, around which the various rooms are arranged, and has the height of two floors, full of marble, columns and paintings, with splendid chandeliers. • The rich and sumptuous Hall of Bacchus, so called for the paintings on the walls that recall its history, also in the floor there is a valuable mosaic work that represents Hercules as a child strangling two snakes with his hands. • The Bedroom, in neo-baroque style (early 19th century) Belonged to Giovanni Torlonia junior and then used by Mussolini together with the whole villa from 1923 to 1943, the room was rebuilt with the original furniture: or a carved wooden chest of drawers with four drawers or 2 bedside tables, with toggle or an armchair in red satin or a red satin chair or a console table, without the mirror or a double bed, in precious carved wood and networks. • The Egyptian Room, where 19th-century paintings recall the Egyptian style, recalling the meeting and coronation of Anthony and Cleopatra and various hieroglyphs, with golden-yellow inlays on the veined white marble of the floor. • Another sumptuous room is the elliptical one of Alexander, it was the dining room, in the vault there are paintings on the vault of the great leader of ancient Rome, with niches in the walls containing statues of Apollo and the nine muses, and floors with mosaic works, all to recall the Roman Empire. On the upper floor there is the Museum of the Roman School (opened in 2006) which illustrates Italian art of the twentieth century (between 1920 and 1945), with a deep connection with Rome and the myth of the ancient world. NOTE: From the basement you can access the two bunkers present, built by Benito Mussolini. NOTE ABOUT VILLA TORLONIA: Among the various works that are present in the Villa I point out: • Casino Nobile is the main building, first residence of the Torlonia Princes and then of Benito Mussolini from 1925 to 1943. • Casino dei Principi initially used as an addiction to the Casino nobile. • Serra Moresca used for the dwelling of exotic plants. • Theater, large building used for performances. • Casina delle civette, at first inspired by mountain huts, then at the beginning of the twentieth century it was transformed as we can admire it today.

It is essentially the main building of the Villa, too often identified only as the park that constitutes its green area and open to the public. Inside, in addition to the rooms some of which have been recovered and restored with skill, some relics or reproductions of ancient works of art (for example copies of statues exhibited in the Capitoline museums) and, on the top floor, a collection of works by artists of the Roman school. The exterior, although restored, still leaves something to be desired, left to neglect. A film and some paneling reconstruct the troubled history of this building which has the sole fault of having hosted Mussolini during the Fascist period. Worth a visit, even if the entrance fee is perhaps a bit overpriced.

Of great impact .... you find it in front of you as soon as you enter Villa Torlonia. Famous for having been the residence of Mussolini even during the war period. The rooms are beautiful. Free with the Mic for Rome residents. I recommend booking during the holidays.

It is the first building you come across upon entering Villa Torlonia, it is the largest and most important of the various buildings found in the park. Known for having been the residence of Benito Mussolini, it is currently the main seat of the Museums of Villa Torlonia. A must visit. Currently all anti covid-19 regulations are observed.