🎨MuseumClosed · Opens 10:00 AM$$ · Mid-range

Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica - Palazzo Barberini

Name: Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica - Palazzo Barberini
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.6

4.6 ·

Step inside Palazzo Barberini, a Baroque palace built by Bernini and Borromini. Wander beneath Pietro da Cortona's dizzying ceiling fresco and stand before Caravaggio's Judith Beheading Holofernes, with far shorter lines than the Vatican.

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Reasons to go

The palace was built with contributions from both Bernini and Borromini, rival architects rarely credited on the same building.
Pietro da Cortona's illusionistic ceiling fresco in the Gran Salone creates a painted architecture that appears to open into the sky.
The collection includes Caravaggio's Judith Beheading Holofernes and Raphael's La Fornarina.

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Full description

Begun for the powerful Barberini family and completed with contributions from Bernini and Borromini, this palace is as much an architectural showpiece as a museum, crowned by Pietro da Cortona's enormous illusionistic ceiling fresco in the Gran Salone. Its collection for the National Gallery of Ancient Art spans the Renaissance through Baroque, including Caravaggio's Judith Beheading Holofernes and Raphael's La Fornarina.

At 4.6 stars with maximum culture, must-see, and aesthetic scores, reviewers frequently note it offers a comparable caliber of art to the Vatican Museums with far shorter lines and lower ticket demand. A single ticket also covers Galleria Corsini across the river, extending the visit for art-focused travelers.

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Address

Via delle Quattro Fontane, 13, 00187 Roma RM, Italy · Trevi

Website

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Hours

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Booking

Booking recommended

Duration

Best time

morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening

Intensity

Active — lots of walking

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Good to know

The combined ticket with Galleria Corsini is good value if you have time for both
get the audio guide, which reviewers rate highly, especially for the Bernini rooms
expect a fair amount of stair climbing between grand halls.

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Reviews

Great value as it’s not as busy as the Vatican museums! Bernini exhibit was great with excellent audio guide. Don’t forget side museum that is in the same building as the special Bernini exhibit. It’s included in the 20euro ticket. It’s located in same building but accessible by the side (no signs were visible). Great…

VeeBee

2/5

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