The Casina di Raffaello (“Little House of Raphael”) is a play area for children next to the Piazza di Siena in the Villa Borghese Park in Rome.
Casina di Raffaello
Address, Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
The address of the Casina di Raffaello is Via della Casina di Raffaello – Rome (tel: +39 060608). For information about the organization of children’s parties in the building you can call +39 06 8558334. Opening hours: From March 1st to June 30th from 09:00 to 18:00 (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 19:00). From July 1 to August 2 from 10.00 to 19.00. Closed: Mondays, May 1, August 3 to 24. Entrance fee: 7 Euro. (5 Euro for Roma Pass holders, holders of a monthly or annual public transport ticket). The reading room is free.
History and description
The Casina di Raffaello was built in the 16th century, in the time of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. It was originally intended as a residence for the housekeeper of the Borghese’s.
At the time, the Casina was still in the middle of a mulberry forest, but this was destroyed in the 18th century, during the construction of Piazza di Siena.
The loggia designed by Antonio Asprucci and the small church decorated with frescoes by Felice Giani and Giovan Battista Marchetti date from that time.
In 1959 the tomb of the sculptor Pietro Canonica was placed in the church.
Children
There are a bookstore and a (free) reading room for children. In the Sala Giani children between 0 and 3 years old can play for free. Outside the Casina is a small, unfortunately somewhat neglected playground with wooden equipment.