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Villa Torlonia in Rome close to the centre and Des Artistes Hotel Rome, was the last of the noble roman mansions to be built along Via Nomentana. The mansion was bought by the Torlonia family back in the 800s and the architect Valadier was in charge of its refurbishment and took care of the park also by realising various tree-lined roads. Alessandro Torlonia had wished it to turn it into a huge reception location for the Roman and foreign nobility but it never was to be.

In 1919 a huge hebrew cemetery was found north west of the Villa. In 1925 Mussolini was granted the residence there until 1943. Mussolini did not involve huge changes and in 1944 the anglo american troops occupied the villa until 1947.

In 1977 the villa was opened to the public as the City of Rome bought it. An extensive refurbishment of some buildings located in the park only just finished and among them: la Casina delle Civette, the Villino Rosso and the Casino dei Principi. The park is english style as very few in Rome, and offers many different types of buildings and artefacts around, and museum too.

Villa Torlonia is open from 9.00 – 19.00 from last sunday of march till 30 september. 9.00-17.30 from 1 march until last saturday in march and from 1 october until last saturday of october. 9.00-16.30 from last sunday of october until 28 february. 9.00-14.00 24 and 31 december

The entrance is free since it is now a public garden.

How to get there : take the bus 90-84-62-60 or 36 at the beginning of Via Nomentana or if you are staying in rome at the Hotel Des Artistes it will take you no more than 15 minutes to walk.