Galleria Borghese

In Italian: Galleria della Villa Borghese

The Borghese Gallery primarily houses the prestigious collection inherited from the Borghese family, begun in the early 17th century. It is one of the most significant museums in Rome.
For the quality of the masterpieces that make up this vast collection, it is one of the most prestigious museums in Rome, and thus in Italy.
The most famous pieces are Baroque sculptures and Renaissance paintings, featuring masters such as Caravaggio or Titian, as well as ancient and neoclassical sculptures. Among the latter are remarkable works by Bernini.
Its other collections include Etruscan art and Modern art, with works by Goya, Renoir, Van Gogh, Rubens, and Cranach.
The visit to the Borghese Gallery ranks 19th in the Top 30 Things to See in Rome.

Discovering the Borghese Gallery: Description and Visit

The Villa Borghese

The main floor is primarily dedicated to classical antiquities from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD, including a famous gladiator mosaic, as well as neoclassical sculptures.
Among the Hellenistic sculptures are a copy of the famous Hermaphrodite and a colossal statue of a satyr.
From the Roman era, there is, for example, a colossal statue of Dionysus or a portrait of Alexander.
Baroque and neoclassical sculptures are plentiful. Visitors can admire works by Bernini such as The Goat Amalthea, The Rape of Persephone, Apollo and Daphne, a David, a bust of Paul V, and many others. There are also sculptures by Antonio Canova, such as Portrait of Pauline Borghese as Venus.
The painting section is equally rich in masterpieces, with works by Bernini (self-portraits); Bruegel the Elder (Orpheus Charming the Animals, Flower Vase); Caravaggio (Boy with a Basket of Fruit, Madonna of the Palafrenieri, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Jerome, David with the Head of Goliath); Cavalier d’Arpino (Saint John the Baptist, The Flight into Egypt, The Rape of Europa); Lucas Cranach (Venus and Cupid); Domenichino (The Hunt of Diana, Portrait of a Sibyl); Guercino (The Prodigal Son); Lorenzo Lotto (Man with Roses, Virgin and Child); Raphael (The Fornarina, The Lady with the Unicorn, The Entombment of Christ, etc.); Peter Paul Rubens (Susanna and the Elders, Lamentation over the Dead Christ); Titian (Sacred and Profane Love, Venus and Cupid, Saint Dominic); and many others.

Photos of Masterpieces from the Borghese Gallery

Practical Information: Hours and Access to the Borghese Gallery

Galleria Borghese, Villa Borghese
Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5 | 00197 ROME
Online reservations: www.gebart.it/musei/galleria-borghese, and full information
Reservation required (even for Roma Pass holders, via this site or by emailing romapass@tosc.it)

Hours and Prices

Open every day except Monday from 9 AM to 7 PM, with entry every two hours. The ticket office closes at 6:30 PM.
Closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1.

As of September 1, 2023:
Full price: €13 (+€2 reservation fee), or €8 (+€2) for the last tour
Reduced price: €2 for ages 18-25 (+€2 reservation fee)
Free: €2 (reservation fee) for those under 18.
Other conditions and visit details: galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it

Resources for Further Exploration

• Official website: https://galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it/en/
• Borghese Gallery on rome-roma.net, visit, photos.
• Wikipedia pages: Borghese Gallery

How to Reach the Borghese Gallery and Map

Galleria Borghese, Villa Borghese
Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5 | 00197 ROME

Guided Tours of the Borghese Gallery

Suggestions for guided tours of the Borghese Gallery and the Villa Borghese Park:

FAQ and Tips for Visiting

How Long Does It Take to Visit the Borghese Gallery?

The visit to the Borghese Gallery is limited to 2 hours per slot, with a maximum of 360 visitors. This is not excessive but is generally sufficient.

Can You Take Photos?

No, photography is prohibited inside the museum, with or without flash.

What Is There to See Around the Borghese Gallery?

The Gallery is located within the beautiful Villa Borghese Park, one of the largest in Rome, where you can see many attractions, including the lake, rent a bike, or a pedal boat on the lake. Nearby are also the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Pincio Terrace, and the ETRU Etruscan Museum.

How to Get to the Borghese Gallery by Public Transport?

The Flaminio or Spagna stations on Metro Line A are about 15 minutes away on foot. Buses such as the 116, which crosses the park, stop nearby. Tram 19 connects the Vatican area to the Modern Art Museum on the other side of the park.

Which Works Should Not Be Missed and Where Are They?

On the ground floor, among the Baroque sculptures: “Apollo and Daphne” and “The Rape of Persephone” by Bernini.
On the upper floor with the paintings: “Boy with a Basket of Fruit” by Caravaggio, and “The Fornarina” by Raphael.