Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nomentana
PORTA PIA
(Piazzale Porta Pia; Via XX Settembre)
Michelangelo's last architectural work, this imposing
crenellated structure stands near the ruins of the Porta Nomentana, one of the original
gates of the ancient Aurelian walls. Bitter street fighting took place here in 1870 as Italian
troops breached the adjacent walls to wrest the city from the pope and claim it for the nas-
cent kingdom of Italy.
LANDMARK
VILLA TORLONIA
(Via Nomentana 70; 7am-7.30pm Oct-Mar, to 8.30pm Apr-Sep; Via Nomentana)
Full of towering pine
trees, atmospheric palms and scattered villas, this splendid 19th-century park once be-
longed to Prince Giovanni Torlonia (1756-1829), a powerful banker and landowner. His
large neoclassical villa, the
Casino dei Principi
, later became the Mussolini family home
(1925-43) and, towards the end of WWII, Allied headquarters (1944-47). These days it's
used to stage temporary exhibitions.
PARK
MUSEI DI VILLA TORLONIA
MUSEUM
(
06 06 08;
www.museivillatorlonia.it
; Via Nomentana 70; Casino Nobile, Casina delle Civitte & exhibition adult/
reduced €10/8, Casino Nobile & exhibition adult/reduced €8/7, Casina delle Civette adult/reduced €5/4; 9am-7pm
Tue-Sun; Via Nomentana)
Housed in three villas - Casino Nobile, Casina delle Civette and
Casino dei Principi - this museum boasts an eclectic collection of art, sculpture, furniture
and stained glass.
The main ticket office is just inside the Via Nomentana entrance to the park.
With its oversized neoclassical facade - designed by Giuseppe Valadier -
Casino Nobile
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
makes quite an impression. In the luxuriously decorated interior you can
admire the Torlonia family's fine collection of sculpture, period furniture and paintings.
Swiss cottage, Gothic castle and twee farmhouse decorated in art nouveau style. Built
between 1840 and 1930, it is now a museum dedicated to stained glass with designs and
sketches, decorative tiles, parquet floors and woodwork.
