Unveiling the Secrets of Villa Torlonia’s Hidden Bunkers: A Journey Through Rome’s Fascist Past

Villa Torlonia, located in Rome, was once home to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his family. Built between 1942 and 1943, the villa’s underground bunkers were designed to protect them from Allied bombing during World War II. Over 80 years later, the bunkers have been renovated and are now open to the public for viewing.

The bunkers were built in three underground structures: a wine cellar under the Villa’s Lake, an armored basement bunker in the Casino Nobile building on the property, and an underground basement bunker in Mussolini’s wine cellar under the Villa’s Lake. The structures were heavily fortified with four feet of reinforced concrete, anti-gas doors, and an air purification system. The first two bunkers were completed in December 1942 when construction began on the third one which was left unfinished due to Mussolini’s arrest on July 25, 1943.

Visitors can now explore the remnants of these historic shelters and experience simulated overhead bombings through an immersive audio-visual display at ‘Rifugio e il Bunker.’ The site also offers archive images of Mussolini and his family at Villa Torlonia along with footage of Allied bombings in Rome.

Today, visitors can visit ‘Rifugio e il Bunker,’ as part of a guided tour of Villa Torlonia Museum which is open for individual tours including English tours on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available online through the Museo Villa Torlonia website or can be purchased in person at ticket offices located inside Casino Nobile building.