Museo e Galleria Borghese
About
Museums, Art Galleries
Price Range : Under $10 (€€)
Location
Adress: Piazzale del Museo Borghese 5, Roma, 00197
Phone: +39 06 8413979
Work Hours
Business info
- turned_in_notAccepted CardsCredit
- local_parkingParkingStreet
- accessibilityGood for KidsYes
- new_releasesAttireCasual
- wifiWi-FiFree
- turned_in_notDogs AllowedNo
- turned_in_notBy Appointment OnlyYes
Reviews
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Pno E.
I've been trying wanting to visit this gallery for many years. But it was very troublesome that one has to make reservation weeks ahead for a summer day to visit. So I've put it off all these years. This past August, I finally made up my mind to make a reservation online. However, it was tedious and unsuccessful after tried many time within 2-3 weeks before I left for Europe for a 4-week trip. It very frustrating to say the least!
Finally, I decided to make an international call from Strasbourg, France. After a long hold for waiting, I was able to get connected and the process was rather smoothly. Face the credit card number, and I was in!
The day came, I didn't dare to take it lightly and arrived before 9:30 am for the 11 am appointment. Eventually, our guided tour group was called.
No wonder! It was remarkable, exciting and exuberant to say the least to describe the whole experience!
I guess all the troubles, time and cost were all worthy it!!! Highly recommended!
The museum tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate! -
Michael S.
The Museo e Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery and Museum) definitely has some beautiful art on display in the former party home (Villa Borghese Pinciana) of Roman Catholic Cardinal Scipione Borghese in a huge garden/park at what use to be the edge of Rome. Three things keep the museum and gallery from being 5-stars:
1 - The rooms were very warm when we visited as the portable air conditioners struggled against the afternoon crowds filling each room
2 - A no photo policy seems completely out of date with modern social media expectations or visitor desires to capture, share, and remember their visit
3 - At 22€ per person, this one of the more expensive museums we visited in Rome ... and each visit is limited to 2 hours with set entrance times ... so be sure to get your ticket and time reserved in advance. Skip-the-line tickets are 30€.
Otherwise, I still recommend the gallery for any fans of early 17th-century Italian art because Scipione Borghese was the patron of both Caravaggio and Bernini whose works are prominent in the gallery. Other famous artists with pieces in the collection include Raphael, Titian, Rubens, and Canova.
Tips:
* Closed Mondays
* Closed Dec 25 & Jan 1
* 2-hour time slots: 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, & 5:00
* Get the audio guide (6€/each)
* Before/after explore the large park
* Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna is nearby
* Bags must be checked
* A small cafe offers snacks/drinks -
Christina K.
Yes! Definitely worth it! It's 20 Euros for admission, but ticket purchase is NO JOKE. You should book in advance if you can. We did not, but heard from a couple the night before that they went that morning and were able to get tickets that day.
We got in line at 8:45 AM and when we got to the front, there were signs saying that they were sold out for the day (along with posters saying that you should ask about same-day ticket ????). The woman who I went to was INCREDIBLY RUDE and when I started asking about tickets, she stared at me coldly and said "How about a good morning first"? Which to be fair, she wasn't wrong, but she made me feel so little and embarrassed about being rude, even though I had started my conversation very politely. I mean, she hadn't even been working for ten minutes yet and was already a bitch. Wow!
Anyway, I stepped away and started looking online, and even though they showed as sold out, the website showed that there were tickets for 9 AM (i.e. right then). ??? I tried purchasing several times but the website kept timing out or something. So I got in line and specifically spoke to the OTHER lady, who right away started going to the party line, saying there were no tickets, but I showed her that the website showed tickets. She looked baffled, but told me to come back at 9:30.
Success!! We got tickets!! But really, it's a gamble.
The art in here is beautiful. Take a look at the ceilings. All of them. My friend and I marveled at how the pieces were 3D - a trompe l'oeil - as we kept going back and forth whether the piece was painted over a protruding area or not. Really incredible. The art has been very well-restored and there are plastic placards in each room that tell you about the art (but hard to read) though some were better written than others. The detail on the marble statues are mind blowing. One of my favorite pieces was the Daphne and Apollo statue - she's turning into a tree and the fine detail in the roots/branches are exquisite. Truly breathtaking.
There were modern pieces in the gallery too which were actually more beautiful to my eye. Worth the visit, but the ticket experience can be an ordeal. -
Diane C.
I pre-ordered my tickets from City Wonders for Skip the Line. Totally worth it as you don't have to stand in line then wait for your time. We met the guide outside and I picked up my tickets. I chose to be my own guide as I'm an art major who loves to be the guide for my husband. There were many guides available that spoke many different languages if that's what you choose.
First of all, before or after the museum, you HAVE TO walk the grounds! Beautiful property and amazing photo opportunities!
Now for the museum, it's a small museum but definitely worth the visit! The statues throughout this beautiful mansion are once in a lifetime opportunities to see things you've read about or seen in movies/tv. Each room is beautifully adorned with rococo style walls with mosaics on the floor and amazing murals everywhere!
You'll also see beautiful paintings that you've seen in art books or religious books. Seeing them in person is even better!
You have to give yourself about two hours to do this place justice.
If you're coming with a backpack or purse, you'll have to check in your bags. You can keep your phone or camera which is awesome! Some museums don't allow any cameras.
There is a restaurant on the bottom floor inside the museum, next to the gift store.
If you're coming to Rome or are already here, you HAVE TO COME HERE! -
Jessie L.
It goes without saying that the galleria Borghese houses an absolutely amazing collection of art and sculptures. Everywhere you look there's something to see, it's stunning. If you are in Rome, the Galleria Borghese is a must.
The grounds the museum is on is lovely to walk through too. Even if you can't get tickets to go inside, you have to at least check out the grounds. While wandering around we found a little pond that rented out row boats. It was such an unexpected surprise and a fun way to pass the time while we waited for reservation into the museum.
The most important advice I can give is to make sure you buy your tickets in advance on the Borghese website. I'm not sure if you're able to get in without doing so.