Casina delle Civette Museum

The Casina delle Civette, located inside Villa Torlonia in Rome, is a fascinating and unique building with a history intertwined with that of the Torlonia family. Originally designed in 1840 by architect Giuseppe Jappelli for Alessandro Torlonia, the initial structure, known as the Swiss Hut, had a rustic appearance similar to an alpine shelter. This aesthetic was emphasized by the external tuff cladding and internal decorations imitating rocks and wood. In 1908, Giovanni Torlonia junior, Alessandro’s nephew, decided to transform the Swiss Hut into a medieval village. Architect Enrico Gennari added decorative elements such as windows, loggias, porticoes, and turrets, all embellished with majolica and colored stained glass. The current name, Casina delle Civette, dates back to 1916 when two stained glass windows depicting stylized owls among ivy branches, created by Duilio Cambellotti, were inserted. These decorations became a recurring theme, giving the building its characteristic name. The Casina delle Civette is a remarkable example of Liberty style, with brightly colored glazed tile roofs, wrought iron details, and numerous artistic stained glass windows. The stained glass windows, created by artists like Duilio Cambellotti, Umberto Bottazzi, Paolo Paschetto, and Vittorio Grassi, are particularly fascinating and include works such as “The Owls,” “The Migrators,” and “The Fairy.” These stained glass windows, with their intricate decorations and vivid colors, serve as a true focal point of the building. During World War II, the Casina delle Civette was occupied by Anglo-American troops and suffered severe damage. Subsequently, it was left abandoned until 1978 when Villa Torlonia was purchased by the Municipality of Rome. In 1991, a devastating fire struck the building, exacerbated by thefts and vandalism. However, a significant restoration project, initiated in 1992 and completed in 1997, restored the Casina delle Civette to its former glory. Today, the Casina delle Civette is a museum dedicated to decorative arts and Liberty style, open to the public to admire the beauty and complexity of its decorations. Among the most notable pieces inside the building are the boiseries in the dining room, decorated with brass inlays, laurel leaves, and vine tendrils. The stucco decorations, such as the swallow nests in the Swallow Room and the ivy tendrils in the satyr’s sitting room, add further charm to the interiors. The museum tour spans two floors. On the ground floor, the entrance welcomes visitors with vegetal decorations and a wooden staircase leading to the upper floor. The Nail Room, once Giovanni Torlonia’s study, houses the stained glass window “The Nail,” a work by Cambellotti depicting vine tendrils and grape clusters. The Owl Room, on the other hand, is adorned with stained glass windows depicting the iconic owls among vegetal motifs, highlighting the museum’s recurring theme. The recently restored dining room features boiseries with leaf and laurel berry carvings, while the floor is made of Richard Ginori majolica. The windows and stained glass, created by the Picchiarini Workshop, add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the room. The Twenty-Four Hour Sitting Room, located in the octagonal body designed by Giuseppe Jappelli, is decorated with a ceiling painting depicting “The Flight of the Twenty-Four Hours,” a symbol of the passage of time. The windows, simple yet elegant, and the mosaic on the floor depicting Mars and Venus, add further beauty to this space. The Casina delle Civette, with its mix of eclectic architecture, Liberty decorations, and aristocratic history, represents a unique and fascinating corner of Rome.