Casina delle Civette Rome
Hidden within the gardens of Villa Torlonia stands one of Rome’s most enchanting and unexpected buildings: the Casina delle Civette.
Unlike the grand palaces and monumental churches that dominate the city, this extraordinary residence feels almost like a fairytale creation.
Stained glass windows, decorative symbolism and imaginative architectural details create an atmosphere unlike almost anywhere else in Rome.
Today, the Casina delle Civette is one of the city’s most distinctive museums and one of its finest examples of Art Nouveau and eclectic architecture.
A Unique Residence Within Villa Torlonia
The Casina delle Civette began life as a modest rural structure within the Villa Torlonia estate.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the building was transformed through a series of architectural additions and decorative programmes.
The result was a highly original residence unlike any other building in Rome.
Its evolution reflects the extraordinary creative experimentation that characterised the Villa Torlonia complex.
The House of the Owls
The building takes its name from the many owl motifs that appear throughout its decorative scheme.
Owls can be found in stained glass windows, decorative panels and artistic details throughout the residence.
Over time, these recurring images became the symbol of the villa and inspired the name by which it is known today.
The owls are only one element within a richer symbolic world of flowers, animals, geometry and natural forms.
Extraordinary Stained Glass Windows
One of the highlights of the Casina delle Civette is its remarkable collection of stained glass windows.
These colourful works transform natural light into an essential part of the visitor experience.
The windows represent some of the finest decorative works preserved in Rome from the period.
Their colours, symbols and craftsmanship create an atmosphere that changes constantly with the light.
Art Nouveau and Eclectic Design
The Casina delle Civette combines multiple artistic influences, including Art Nouveau, medieval revival styles, symbolism and decorative arts.
Visitors discover towers, loggias, wooden interiors, ceramic decoration and architectural details that reveal the creativity of the artists and craftsmen involved.
Few buildings in Rome offer such a complete immersion into the artistic imagination of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The wider movement can be explored in Art Nouveau and Eclectic Rome .
Private Guided Tours
Private guided tours allow visitors to explore the history, architecture and symbolism of the Casina delle Civette through expert interpretation and personalised itineraries.
These experiences are particularly suitable for:
- Art lovers
- Architecture enthusiasts
- Private travellers
- Families
- Executive guests
- Cultural associations
The visit can also form part of wider Private Experiences focused on architecture, decorative arts and lesser-known Rome.
Villa Torlonia and Hidden Rome
The Casina delle Civette forms part of the remarkable Villa Torlonia estate, one of Rome’s most fascinating cultural destinations.
The estate brings together aristocratic architecture, decorative arts, landscaped gardens and twentieth-century history.
Visitors can combine the Casina with other parts of Villa Torlonia to create an itinerary very different from the conventional historic centre.
This lesser-known side of the city fits naturally within Secret Rome & Hidden Gems .
A completely different artistic language from the Rome most visitors know.
- One of Rome’s most unusual museums
- Magnificent stained glass windows
- Exceptional Art Nouveau architecture
- Rich decorative symbolism
- Private guided tours available
- Part of the Villa Torlonia estate
- A hidden artistic treasure
- A different side of modern Rome
Explore the Rome of glass, colour and architectural imagination.
The Casina delle Civette can be incorporated into private itineraries focused on Liberty architecture, historic residences, decorative arts and lesser-known cultural sites across Rome.
Explore Art Nouveau Rome →Rome is not only ancient, Renaissance and Baroque.
At Rome Private Experience, we design private cultural itineraries that reveal artistic movements and places often overlooked by international visitors.
The Casina delle Civette offers an exceptional introduction to Rome’s Liberty architecture, decorative arts and the imaginative world of Villa Torlonia.
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