Lyda Borelli House - Guided tour

In Via Saragozza 236, next to the Meloncello arch, stands a very special retirement home because it houses artists, originally exclusively actors.

Although the institution was founded in 1917, it was in October 1931 that the villa, built thanks to the support of many benefactors, began to welcome elderly people from the world of entertainment.

When the actress Lyda Borelli died in 1959, her husband Vittorio Cini donated 100 million lire in her memory, and the retirement home was named after the famous diva.

Thanks to this generous donation, Lorenzo Ruggi, President of the Retirement Home, decided to build next to the villa a theatre, unique in its kind, where all kinds of shows could be performed.

Next to the villa stands the Teatro delle Celebrazioni (Theatre of Celebrations), built in the 1960s thanks to donations from many celebrities: from Queen Elizabeth to Jacqueline Kennedy, from the USSR embassy to Lyndon Johnson.

Over the years, many memorabilia and materials from the world of entertainment have been donated, which have been added to the historical archive and library located in the villa's chapel dedicated to St. Genesius, patron saint of actors.

The archive contains volumes dating back to the early decades of the 16th century and rare editions dedicated to Italian and French theatre.

In addition to documents relating to the history of Casa Borelli and the Teatro delle Celebrazioni, the archive also contains materials belonging to past guests and those who saw the institution as a place to preserve their memories: autographed letters from Eleonora Duse and Luigi Pirandello, drawings by Enrico Caruso, posters and stage photographs.

In addition to these materials, there are those on display in the villa: photographs, busts, posters and theatre costumes that make the villa in Via Saragozza unique.

Full price: €13

Reduced price with Cultura Card: €10

Meeting point:

Courtyard of the villa, Via Saragozza 236, Bologna

Refund and changes:

Cancellation with refund or change of booking possible up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.

The sale of tourist services is managed by Bologna Welcome Travel Agency.