Galleria Borghese Rome
Galleria Borghese houses many exquisite items that are set in elegantly decorated rooms in the one-time home of the Borghese family. It consists of twenty rooms across two floors. Between 1613 and 1615, Architect Flaminio Ponzio built the Villa Borghese for the Cardinal Scipione Borghese the nephew of Pope Paul V.
Walking into the entrance hall you will see with beautiful 4th-century floor mosaics of fighting gladiators. Look up and see Mariano Rossi’s brilliant fresco of Jupiter shining down on Romulus and Remus, the Capitoline Geese, the River Tiber, the Tiburtine Sibyl and others.
The main floor is mostly dedicated to intricate Roman floor mosaics, classical antiques of the 1st and 3rd centuries AD and classical and neo-classical sculptures. The other spaces are devoted to European Renaissance paintings. The paintings in Galleria Borghese are just breathtaking. It has some of the best including some by Caravaggio, Botticelli and Raphael and many others.
My favorite has to be Raphael’s painting. The Deposition also known as The Entombment, tells the story of the final days of Jesus Christ. I was very moved by the people carrying Christ. The Virgin Mary is also there, as she is being held after seeming to have fainted.
The sculptures are incredible, they will absolutely blow you away. I can’t believe they were made from marble.
Galleria Borghese Rome has many sculptures displayed here. My two favorite sculptures of Bernini are here. Apollo and Daphne. Where Daphne is turning into a tree before your very eyes, as Apollo is about to catch her and have his way with her. The other one is David with the Slingshot. David is stretching his sling as he eyes up Goliath. They are some of the most realistic depictions of the human form I’ve ever seen. Everything from the muscles to the look on his face is perfectly carved in marble.
I found a lot of amazing pieces here at Galleria Borghese. From sculptures to paintings and the most gorgeous ceiling frescoes I have ever seen in my life. Please note your visit is limited to two hours. Get there early so you can get your tickets and check your bags. Make sure you see the artwork you really want to see in the beginning and then work your way around.
When leaving, be sure to take a stroll through the adjacent park. The Borghese Park is a chanting spot for a walk as it is a very compelling park with a lot of history. At the end of the park there is a grand view overlooking Piazza Popolo.
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Phone number: +39 06 32810
Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese 5, 00197 Rome, Italy
Hours: Monday Closed
Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tours start every two hours and reservations are required.
The ticket office closes at 6:30 p.m.
Access up to half hour before the closing time.
No photos allowed.
There is a storage room where you are required to leave your belongings. (handbags, camera, umbrella, stroller, etc) Sorry no luggage.
There is a café in the cellar that serves very good food and coffee.
You need to show your ticket if you want to use the bathrooms.
Book in advance. Reservations are a must. Print your confirmation and take it with you.
Arrive early. There is likely to be a line at the ticket desk and the baggage check desk.
Transportation:
Bus No.: 5, 19, 52, 53, 63, 86, 88, 92, 95, 116, 204, 217, 231, 360, 490, 491, 495, 630, 910, 926
Metro Line A: Spagna (you can follow the signs to Villa Borghese – Via Veneto)
Galleria Borghese is right inside Villa Borghese park. The Bioparco di Roma (zoo) is inside the Villa Borghese park as well. Piazza del Popolo and Church Santa Maria del Popolo is a just a short walk away.
If you walk through the Villa Borghese Park you’ll hit Via Veneto and the Roman walls. From there you can see other nearby attractions to Via Veneto.
