Musei di Villa Torlonia
Villa Torlonia is a sprawling 19th century estate turned public park and museum that is well off the usual tourist circuit. The grounds are home to several distinct buildings, each offering something completely different to photograph. The Casino Nobile is the main attraction, a neoclassical palace with tall Ionic columns and an oversized exterior that works well when framed against the surrounding tree canopy or straight on from the gravel paths. Nearby, the Casina delle Civette is the real showstopper for photographers. It is a whimsical building that blends Swiss chalet, Gothic, and Italian Art Nouveau styles, causing the exterior to be full of fun architectural details like turrets, and decorative tile work. Plus it is filled with stained glass windows featuring owls and nature themes that catch light beautifully in the morning. The Serra Moresca (Moorish Greenhouse) is yet another photogenic spot with its ornate, patterned exterior and arched openings. Between the buildings, the English style gardens, small lake, obelisks, and scattered statues, the museum grounds are photogenic at every turn. The park itself is free to enter, though the museum buildings require tickets to photograph the interiors. Golden hour turns the warm toned facades into something really special, and weekday mornings give you the best chance of shooting the buildings without crowds. (Rome, Lazio, Italy)
