Villa Ada

Villa Ada is a park covering about 180 hectares in northern Rome, spreading over gentle hills and densely wooded areas. At its center lies an artificial lake surrounded by holm oaks, stone pines, and laurel trees that give the grounds a green and shaded appearance.

The estate belonged to the Italian royal House of Savoy between 1872 and 1878, before Count Tellfner acquired it and named it after his wife. In the 1940s the royal family built an underground bunker to shelter from bombing raids.

The name honors Ada Tellfner, wife of a former owner, recalling the era when the grounds served as a private estate. Walking along the paths, visitors notice tall holm oaks and stone pines that provide shade and give the space a Mediterranean character.

Visitors can rent canoes and bicycles or ride horses along the paths that wind through the entire grounds. The park is easy to reach and offers several entrances, allowing people to begin their walk from different sides.

The restored bunker from the 1940s lies underground and can be visited during guided tours. The rooms show how the royal family sought protection during the war and offer a rare glimpse into that period.