Discover the hidden treasures The Eternal City has to offer beyond the usual attractions and immerse yourself in Villa Torlonia, a stunning mix of architectural styles with a fascinating history, and the Quartiere Coppedè, an enchanting district of Art Nouveau, Gothic, and Baroque designs. Join our private walking tour for an in-depth look at these overlooked gems in the centre of Rome.
On your 3-hour walking tour, you will:
- Enjoy the undivided attention of your private guide, who will enrich your journey with intriguing insights about this little-known corner of Rome;
- Visit the stunning neoclassical complex Villa Torlonia, once home to Mussolini and his family;
- Admire the Casina delle Civette and find out about the Italian style of architecture that inspired its Art Deco stained glass windows;
- Marvel at the frescoes and sculptures in the Casino Nobile;
- Check out the eye-catching Moorish-style design of Serra Moresca;
- Hear about the tumultuous history of the Villa, where the Mussolini family lived for almost 20 years;
- Discover Quartiere Coppedè, Rome’s smallest district, with its distinctive architectural style;
- Learn about Florentine architect Gino Coppedè, his influences and his vision for the area;
- See the famous Frog Fountain (Fontana delle Rane) at the heart of Piazza Mincio;
- Pass by the delightful Fairy House (Villino delle Fate), which features frescoes, turrets, medieval-style decorations, and terracotta elements;
- Get a closer look at the whimsical details, unexpected angles, and fantastical elements of the villas that make Quartiere Coppedè one of the most photogenic spots in Rome;
Step off the beaten path and explore a lesser-known but utterly fascinating side of Rome, where neoclassical elegance meets architectural whimsy. Your private tour will begin just outside the historic centre in the tranquil and elegant neighbourhood of Nomentana, known for its grand villas, embassies, and tree-lined boulevards. You’ll get acquainted with your guide and stroll along Via Nomentana, one of the city’s oldest roads, to your first destination: Villa Torlonia.
Your guide will take you through the most intriguing corners of the Villa and its lush gardens on a visit tailored to your interests. You’ll step inside the Casino Nobile, the grand main building where elaborate frescoes and sculptures reveal the artistic sensibilities of the wealthy and influential Torlonia family. You’ll explore the grounds filled with small lakes, exotic plants, columns, and picturesque pathways and make your way to the Casina delle Civette (House of the Owls). As you bask in the glow of its colourful stained-glass windows depicting owls, swans, peacocks, butterflies, and floral motifs, you’ll learn that the Casina delle Civette is one of Rome’s finest examples of Liberty Style, the Italian version of Art Nouveau.
Nearby, the Serra Moresca adds an exotic twist with its dazzling Moorish-inspired architecture, a striking contrast to the villa’s classical surroundings, and the Casino di Principi boasts intricate mosaics and houses the archive of the Roman School of Art. Along the way, your guide can regale you with stories of its inhabitants, from the prosperous and eccentric Torlonias to Benito Mussolini, who resided in the Villa from 1925 until his arrest in 1943 and built an underground bunker and an air-raid shelter to protect against bombings during World War II.
As you leave the grandeur of Villa Torlonia behind, you’ll venture into Quartiere Coppedè, Rome’s smallest and most eclectic district. Designed by visionary Florentine architect Gino Coppedè, this neighborhood defies categorisation, blending Art Nouveau, Baroque, medieval, and even Gothic influences into a surreal streetscape. At its heart lies the charming Piazza Mincio, home to the Fontana delle Rane (Fountain of the Frogs), where The Beatles are rumoured to have taken a dip after a late-night concert. Strolling through these whimsical streets, you’ll encounter architectural gems like the Villino delle Fate (Fairy House), adorned with frescoes, turrets, and terracotta details, and the Palazzo delle Ragno (Palace of the Spider) with a distinctive black and gold spider motif on its facade. As your guide draws your attention to remarkable structures, intricate mosaics, and fantastical details, you’ll appreciate how every villa in Quartiere Coppedè is a masterpiece, making it one of Rome’s most aesthetically pleasing quarters.
Thanks to your local expert, who will bring these locations to life with captivating stories and historical insights, you’ll gain an understanding of how this unique part of the city evolved. By the time your tour comes to an end, you’ll have enjoyed an urban adventure beyond the usual sights and a rare glimpse into Rome’s architectural eccentricities and forgotten history.
