The Borghese Gallery in Rome, credit to Eric Martin through Flickr.com
| We should thank the Papal visceral love for their family if we can enjoy so many art collections in Rome, as the Borghese Gallery. Nepotism, a word that every Roman knows well, used for the Popes which gave power and offices to their nephews, 'nepoti', lacking marriage and children, at least legitimate ones. Unfortunately most visitors find out too late that the Borghese Gallery needs advance reservation and miss this marvelous treasure of Rome. |  The Rape of Proserpine by Gianlorenzo Bernini, credit to Larry Miller through Flickr.com |
The Borghese Gallery lies at the edge of the peaceful and luxurious Borghese Park, in the heart of the posh Parioli district, close to the shopping area of the Spanish Steps and luxury hotels street via Veneto. This intimate collection was created by the Cardinal Scipione Borghese in XVII century which had a strong passion for art and a conspicuous fortune to cultivate it. What couldn't be purchased with money was grabbed with the power of his position. The Raphael's Deposition of Christ or Caravaggio's David with the head of Goliath were obtained thanking to the immense power derived from being the nephew of Pope Paul V.
The highlights of the gallery that I prefer are the sculptures of a young Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the Rape of Proserpine and the Apollo and Daphne, the serene beauty of Canova's Pauline Bonaparte, beloved sister of Napoleon, and the sublime perfection of ancient statues.
For those who will find their way to the second floor, the magnificent Profane and Sacred Love by Titian will be an oasis of elegance and peace from the drama of Baroque, but will tell you a more recent story about the decline of the Borghese family, while irreverent and distant pagan gods stare at the visitors from the ceilings.
The highlights of the gallery that I prefer are the sculptures of a young Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the Rape of Proserpine and the Apollo and Daphne, the serene beauty of Canova's Pauline Bonaparte, beloved sister of Napoleon, and the sublime perfection of ancient statues.
For those who will find their way to the second floor, the magnificent Profane and Sacred Love by Titian will be an oasis of elegance and peace from the drama of Baroque, but will tell you a more recent story about the decline of the Borghese family, while irreverent and distant pagan gods stare at the visitors from the ceilings.
Fauns of the ceiling of the Borghese Gallery, credit to luca skill through Flickr.com
Tips: You need to reserve and pay your Borghese Gallery tickets in advance. Tickets run out quickly. Check on their reservation web site: http://www.galleriaborghese.it/eng/galleriaBorghese.html
You can walk to the Broghese Gallery if you are close enough to via Veneto or you could take the bus 53 from piazza Barberini.
The admission time is every two hours: 9, 11, 13 15, 17.
Visit lasts 2 hours.
Enjoy a walk after the tour through the Borghese park, where you can rent a bike, a tandem or a rowboat.
In the same area, you can find other museums, such as the Gallery of Modern Art and the Etruscan Museum. If you are with children, next to the Gallery there is Rome Zoo.
If you need any further information, contact me through http://www.mylovelyrome.com
You can walk to the Broghese Gallery if you are close enough to via Veneto or you could take the bus 53 from piazza Barberini.
The admission time is every two hours: 9, 11, 13 15, 17.
Visit lasts 2 hours.
Enjoy a walk after the tour through the Borghese park, where you can rent a bike, a tandem or a rowboat.
In the same area, you can find other museums, such as the Gallery of Modern Art and the Etruscan Museum. If you are with children, next to the Gallery there is Rome Zoo.
If you need any further information, contact me through http://www.mylovelyrome.com
Rowboats on Villa Borghese Lake, credit to Fabio Stefano Alla through Flickr.com
