Villa Ada, Rome

Villa Ada Savoia in the north of Rome is the largest park area in Italy's capital. A huge green garden, constantly bubbling with life, attracts lovers of active recreation, athletes, creative personalities and the youth. Modern and beautiful, this infrastructurally-developed park allows you to hide from the metropolitan bustle and spend time in peace and quiet.

History of Villa Ada

Hilly terrain with an abundance of dense vegetation used to be a hunting ground. In 1872, the royal Savoy residence was established in the territory. This is how tradition held it at the time: an aristocratic mansion would necessarily have a huge park surrounding it. In 1878, after the death of the king, the villa was bought by the Swiss Count Tellfner. The nobleman named the estate in honor of his wife, Villa Ada. In 1904, the villa was again returned to the royal dynasty, but the name caught on. In Benito Mussolini's time, a bunker for the royal family was built in the territory of the residence.

After the Second World War, in 1946, the monarchy fell, and the park became public. In 2009, a small section of the territory became a private area as it had been given to the Embassy of Egypt. Now the government is trying to get it back. The same year, a street named after Solzhenitsyn appeared in the park.

 Villa Ada and its sights nowadays

There are few original buildings in the park, and they are occupied by the above-mentioned embassy. But this public garden is always open for visitors. Its area is 182 hectares. There are a lot of smooth asphalt tracks popular among runners and cyclists. Wherever you look, you will see neatly trimmed shrubs and different trees, typical for the Apennines. Metasequoia planted in the park in 1940 looks a bit exotic. As the area is located near the Tiber, which contributes to the richness of the local fauna. Apart from common birds and squirrels, one can see rabbits, hedgehogs, and even porcupines and parrots.

The park boasts a beautiful lake with an islet. You can rent a canoe to sail in the pond or pay to rent a bicycle or a horse.  Although this place is perfect not only for picnics and serene walks. In warm weather, park's cultural events lure crowds. For example, the international music festival "Roma Incontra il Mondo". It has been held since 1994. Its message is simple: "no" to wars and violence. There are 2 particularly interesting objects in the park.

• Bunker Villa Ada Savoia. After the war, it was abandoned, and the only thing that gave out its location was a brick arch. Vandals would gather there and decorate the bunker. Pseudo-Satanists conducted their rituals inside the bunker that due to this received the nickname the "Bunker of the Devil." In 2012, the authorities installed an iron door. In 2015, a restoration was carried out by the association "Roma Sotterranea". The bunker was opened for visitors in 2016. The cost of the tour around the bomb shelter is 12 euros. Phone number: (+39) 334 7401467.
• Catacombe di Priscilla. Underground tunnels, discovered in the 16th century, have a total length of about 8 km. They hide many secrets. There are numerous tombs dating back to the ancient era as well as the Early Christian period. The bodies of martyrs lie in sarcophagi. The catacombs' wall are adorned with frescoes, mainly depicting the Old Testament scenes. During the Early Christianity, a Benedictine convent was located here. The territory with the catacombs belonged to a noblewoman named Priscilla, hence the name of the underground complex. Basilica di san Silvestro, built in the 4th century on the place of the tomb of Pope Silvestro, stands above the tunnels and is a place of regular pilgrimage. The catacombs are open to visitors from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 12:00 to 17:00 every day, except Monday. The price of a full ticket is 8 euros, a preferential ticket (for children of 7-15 years) costs 5 euros.

How to get there

Villa Ada in Rome is located quite far from the city centre, north from Villa Borghese and Villa Torlonia. The public territory of the park is open to visitors. The entrance is free of charge. The park is surrounded by the streets of Via Salaria, Via Panama, Via di Ponte Salario. The easiest way to get there is by the buses № 63, 83, 168, 92, 310. Get off at Piazza Verbano and Walk along Via di Villa Ada for about 5 minutes.