Marvel at Caravaggio’s, Bernini’s and Raphael’s works at Rome’s Galleria Borghese.
When in Rome you should definitely visit the Borghese Gallery, with its impressive collection of art, defined as “the most beautiful collection in the world“.
The museum, housed in Villa Borghese, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7pm. Booking is mandatory.
Buy your ticket or book your tour for the Borghese Gallery
Built in 1613 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the Borghese Gallery houses the private collection of the Cardinal, who had a marvellous collection of precious works of art, both ancient and modern. The Cardinal’s private collection was created starting in 1607, who initiated a systematic acquisition of artworks, making it one of the largest ones at the time.
The first collection was made up of paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian while the collection of ancient sculptures, another fundamental element capable of giving an aura of ideal universality to the artistic collections, had been constantly enriched. Inside the gallery, you will find a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings,sculptures and antiquities.
2024 Restauration and Ticket Reduction
From 29 March to 30 June 2024, fifty artworks from the Borghese Gallery will be moved to Palazzo Barberini, which will host an exhibition titled: “Raffaello, Tiziano, Rubens. Masterpieces of Borghese Gallery at Palazzo Barberini“.
During this time, the Borghese Gallery will undergo significant renovation on its first floor. This includes replacing tapestries, updating fixtures for energy efficiency, improving accessibility, and restoring some large paintings.
During this period, ticket reductions will be available. Visitors can enjoy reduced admission to the Borghese Gallery at only €11. Additionally, those with Borghese Gallery tickets can visit the National Galleries of Ancient Art (Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica) for only €5.
Galleria Borghese Highlights
Scipione Borghese was an early patron of Bernini and an avid collector of works by Caravaggio. He was particularly interested in antique sculptures, but was also driven enough to patronise modern artists and was commissioned work by Caravaggio, Bernini, Domenichino and Rubens.
Walking inside the Borghese Gallery is a unique once-in-a-lifetime journey into the world of some of the most universal artists of all time, including Bernini’s most famous masterpieces:
- Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius
- Rape of Proserpina
- David
- Apollo and Daphne
- Truth revealed by Time
- Self portrait as Young Man
- Self portrait at a Mature Age
- Bust of Cardinale Scipione Borghese
As you move from one section to the other, marvel at Bernini’s details. A particular artwork to set your eyes on is Ratto di Proserpina, where the hands of the God touching Proserpina’s skin actually seem as if they are sinking into her flesh.
The Borghese Gallery also host Rome’s largest collection of Caravaggio works, including David with the Head of Goliath, Madonna and Child with Saint Anne (Madonna dei Palafrenieri), Saint Jerome and the Boy with basket of fruit.
Apart from being exceptional for its splendid collection (including masterpieces by Antonio Canova, Titian, Brueghel, Raphael and many others), the Galleria Borghese is perfect in the coherence of its decorative ensemble that implies antique marbles, inlays, mosaics, stuccoes and inserts.
Temporary exhibitions are often set up inside the museum to accommodate works by important artists.
From 16 March to 23 June 2024, the Borghese Gallery is showcasing the exhibition “Un Velázquez in Galleria“. It features Donna in cucina con Cena di Emmaus, one of Diego Velázquez’s earliest known works from the National Gallery of Ireland. This painting is displayed in the Hall of Silenus alongside Caravaggio’s works.
The exhibition is designed to encourage research and dialogue between the works of two Baroque Masters: Velázquez and Caravaggio. By comparing their paintings, visitors can gain new insights and perspectives.
How to buy Galleria Borghese tickets
Remember that you cannot purchase tickets at the museum itself. You can book tickets online by clicking the button below:
Address:
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5
(Villa Borghese)
Opening times:
Tue-Sun, 9am-7 pm (last entrance 5.45pm)
Reservation required
