Uncovering the Hidden History of Villa Torlonia’s Bunkers: An Immersive Journey Through World War II
The bunkers at Villa Torlonia were built to protect Mussolini and his family during World War II. Constructed between 1942 and 1943, these underground shelters were designed to withstand Allied bombing. Over 80 years later, the bunkers have been renovated and are now open to the public for viewing.
Located beneath Mussolini’s grand estate in Rome, the bunkers were strategically built in three underground structures. The first structure was constructed in 1940 in Mussolini’s wine cellar under the Villa’s Lake, followed by an underground basement bunker in the Casino Nobile building on the property. These structures were heavily fortified with four feet of reinforced concrete, anti-gas doors, and an air purification system.
As the war progressed, Mussolini added an armored bunker located 20 feet underground in front of the Casino Nobile. The bunkers were built in a cross shape, with 50-foot-long corridors and 13-foot reinforced concrete walls. However, construction was left unfinished when Mussolini was arrested on July 25, 1943, lacking crucial features such as watertight doors, final ventilation systems, and toilets.
Today, visitors can explore the bunkers and experience simulated overhead bombings through an immersive audio-visual display. The site offers archive images of Mussolini and his family at the villa along with footage of the aftermath of Allied bombings in Rome. Visitors can also learn about the history of Villa Torlonia and its role during World War II through guided tours of the museum.
The ‘Rifugio e il Bunker’ can be visited as part of a guided tour of the Villa Torlonia Museum and 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 the ticket offices in the Casino Nobile building.
Overall visiting this place will give visitors a unique insight into how wealthy individuals during that era prepared themselves for war while giving them a glimpse into what life was like under such circumstances.
