Galleria Borghese

Overview

Located within a spectacular 17th-century villa in Rome's most famous park, the Galleria Borghese completely lacks the overwhelming size of the Vatican Museums but arguably surpasses it in sheer, concentrated artistic perfection.

Highlights

• Bernini Sculptures: Prepare to be completely breathless. The gallery houses Gian Lorenzo Bernini's greatest youthful masterpieces, including Apollo and Daphne and The Rape of Proserpina, carved in marble so delicate it looks like bruised flesh.
• Caravaggio Gallery: An entire room dedicated to the intensely dark, dramatic, and violently shadowed masterpieces of Caravaggio, including David with the Head of Goliath.
• The Architecture: Every single room is a masterpiece itself, covered ceiling-to-floor in dazzling frescoes, ancient Roman floor mosaics, and gilded stucco.

History

The ruthless, incredibly powerful Cardinal Scipione Borghese (nephew of Pope Paul V) built this lavish "party villa" specifically to house his massive art collection. He decidedly acquired masterpieces, even famously having the painter Domenichino jailed to force him to hand over a painting he coveted.

Visitor Tips

• Strict Booking: It is the most strictly controlled museum in Rome. You absolutely must book tickets weeks in advance. You are granted exactly two hours to view the collection before the staff completely clears the building for the next group.
• Bags: No bags of any kind (including large purses) are allowed inside; you must check them at the cloakroom before your timed entry.