Exploring Mussolini's Underground Bunker in Rome
Discover the hidden depths of Mussolini's bunker located at Villa Torlonia in Rome. Delve into its history as a structure built nearly 20 feet underground with 13-feet thick cement walls. Unveil the unfinished legacy left behind when the Italian dictator was apprehended in July 1943.
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In June 1940, Italy joined World War II, and its leader Benito Mussolini wasted no time building air raid shelters for himself at Villa Torlonia, his lavish Rome home since 1929.
The fascists constructed a total of three underground structures to safeguard Mussolini and his family. The first one, built in 1940, was a modified old wine cellar at Villa Torlonia. A year later, an air raid shelter was constructed in the basement of the Casino Nobile, a building within the villa grounds. This shelter had rooms lined with 120 centimeters (four feet) of reinforced concrete, anti-gas doors, and an air purification system.
As the war continued, Mussolini devised a fortified bunker located underground in front of the Casino Nobile.
The bunker is located underground in front of the Casino Nobile at Villa Torlonia.
The bunker is located underground in front of the Casino Nobile at Villa Torlonia.
The Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali is responsible for overseeing cultural heritage in Rome.
Located six meters (nearly 20 feet) underground, the bunker was built in a cross shape with corridors 15 meters (nearly 50 feet) long and 2.5 meters (8 feet) wide. It was reinforced with four-meter-thick (13 feet) concrete walls. Construction began in December 1942, but the bunker was left unfinished. It lacked watertight doors, a final ventilation system, and a toilet when the dictator was arrested on July 25, 1943.
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The bunker was first opened to the public in 2006, but closed two years later, before undergoing temporary openings in the coming years.
A multimedia exhibition in the air raid shelter focuses on the effects of bombing raids on civilians.
A multimedia exhibition in the air raid shelter focuses on the effects of bombing raids on civilians.
Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali
After closing in 2021, the air raid shelter and bunker has reopened for guided tours. Visitors can now explore a multimedia exhibition showcasing Rome during World War II, the air raid systems for civilians, and the 51 Allied bombings that struck the city from July 1943 to May 1944. A highlight is the tragic 1943 bombing of the San Lorenzo neighborhood, which claimed the lives of over 3,000 civilians. Guided tours, lasting 50 minutes, lead guests underground through the exhibition before culminating in a simulated air raid experience in Mussolini's unfinished bunker.
Tours last 50 minutes and go through the air raid shelter and the bunker.
Tours last 50 minutes and go through the air raid shelter and the bunker.
Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali
Tours are available on Fridays through Sundays and last for 50 minutes. Unfortunately, these tours are not suitable for individuals with mobility issues. If you speak English, there is an English tour every Saturday at 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online for 12 euros ($12.80).
Editor's P/S:
The article provides a glimpse into a fascinating historical site that offers visitors the chance to explore the underground world built by Benito Mussolini during World War II. The air raid shelter and bunker at Villa Torlonia are a testament to the lengths to which people will go to protect themselves during times of conflict. The multimedia exhibition and simulated air raid experience add a powerful and immersive element to the tour, allowing visitors to connect with the human stories behind the historical events.
It's important to note that the air raid shelter and bunker are not suitable for individuals with mobility issues. It is also worth considering the potential for claustrophobia in some areas, especially within the bunker. However, for those who can navigate these challenges, the tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about a lesser-known aspect of Rome's history and to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of war on civilians.
