Restoration complete: Bunkers built specifically for Mussolini opened to visitors

The bunkers, located at the Casino Nobile mansion in Villa Torlonia—which was once the residence of Mussolini—on Rome's Via Nomentana, were built at the fascist dictator's request during the war. They were filmed following a long restoration process and their reopening to visitors in April.

The walls of the bunkers feature photographs of Mussolini and his family taken at Villa Torlonia, footage of the bombings of Rome by the Allies between July 19, 1943, and May 3, 1944, warning leaflets dropped from Allied aircraft, and animated projections depicting life in the shelter under bombardment, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the Second World War era.

Additionally, in the section built to be more protected for Mussolini, his family, and his inner circle, there is an opportunity to experience a near-realistic bombing simulation with sound and physical effects.

'IT WAS DECIDED IT WAS NOT SAFE'

Annapaola Agati, the official in charge of the Villa Torlonia Park and Museums, stated that Mussolini moved his residence in Rome to Villa Torlonia in 1925 for a symbolic rent of one lira.

Agati explained that this move was influenced by Mussolini's frequent visits to the villa for social gatherings and his good relationship with the Torlonia family.

Explaining that the first part converted into a bunker, which is accessed through the mansion, was actually the building's basement, Agati said, "Mussolini reinforced this place. He had armored doors and a ventilation system installed. He had converted an area inside the building into a bunker, but as the war intensified and the threat of bombing increased, Mussolini's inner circle decided that this bunker inside the palace was not safe enough. Thus, the decision was made to dig a real bunker outside the building."

Stating that these tunnels extending from underground to the outside of the building were prepared as a "real bunker," Agati noted, "One is a place that already existed and was partially converted into a shelter, while the other is a real bunker created specifically for that purpose, providing an exit outside the building."

'HE NEVER USED THIS BUNKER'

Agati explained that the second bunker could be sealed with reinforced concrete cylinders and was designed to be waterproof, but its construction progressed slowly at the time due to some archaeological remains in the garden.

Pointing out that Rome was first bombed from the air during World War II on July 19, 1943, Agati said, "At that time, the bunker was not yet finished. Mussolini was not in Rome either. He had met with (Nazi Germany leader Adolf) Hitler in Feltre. Later, he was arrested on July 25, 1943, and could never return to Villa Torlonia. Therefore, he was never able to use this bunker."

Agati mentioned that there is evidence that local residents who were aware of the bunker's existence used it for various reasons in the following years.

Providing information about the efforts to reopen the bunkers to visitors, Agati said, "A simple setup was created. We installed a platform so people could walk through; otherwise, they would have had difficulty. We added a sound system that creates the effect of a real bombing simulation."

'FEELING THE ARRIVAL OF THE PLANES...'

Explaining that the site was already known to local residents, Agati stated that they wanted to increase its visibility through the reorganization.

Agati concluded her words as follows:

"Of course, it is a historical moment. It is an interesting experience, like descending into a bunker, experiencing such powerful emotions firsthand, feeling the arrival of the planes, and living through the fear of bombardment. This is a space where new generations can experience what war is."