Once upon a time lived in Rome a Duke. Intelligent and well educated, was not only fond of arts, science and literature, but also of animals, expecially birds.
This is quite normal now, but it was considered a bit strange one century ago (cultures change). No problem, he soon resigned himself to living alone.
But alas, getting older, a real eccentric person he became. His juvenile love for birds at the end of his life began to turn into a loving obsession for one of them, the owl.
At this time, if he were a poor man, his narrow-minded though noble relatives should have sent him to the mental hospital, as usual in these cases.
But since he was smart and wealthy, his destiny was fortunately another.
Architects and artisans made his dreamy obsession come true, building this cottage following his desires, advices, suggestions and drawings.
So he had the rare opportunity of spending the last years of his life in a quiet loneliness, surrounded by his beloved animals, of marble, glass, china or earthware this time,
and in a place that finally matched his tastes (and mine as well ;-).

Abandoned for decades, the Casina delle Civette is now a public museum perfectly restored (thanks to the Rome City Council).
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