Villa & Galleria Borghese

History of Galleria Borghese

Villa Borghese was designed as a summer residence for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a nephew of Pope Paul V. Cardinal Borghese was a great patron and avid art collector of his time. To provide a fitting home for his impressive collection of art and sculptures, he commissioned architect Flaminio Ponzio to build the villa in the early 17th century. After Ponzio's death, his assistant Giovanni Vasanzio continued the project.

The villa was not just a simple home; it was also an expression of Scipione Borghese's status and influence, serving as a magnificent setting for social occasions and showcasing his extensive collection of antiquities, sculptures, and paintings.

In the 19th century, Villa Borghese underwent further changes. Prince Camillo Borghese had large parts of the garden redesigned in the English style. In 1902, the Italian state acquired the villa and most of the surrounding garden, making them accessible to the public. The villa itself now houses the Galleria Borghese, one of Italy's most prestigious art collections, featuring masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael.

What Are the Opening Hours of Galleria Borghese?

The Galleria Borghese is open daily except Mondays, starting at 9:00 AM. The museum closes at 7:00 PM, with the last admission at 5:45 PM. Closed December 25th and January 1st.

Each ticket sold has a fixed visiting time: entry slots run every hour from 09:00 AM, with 2 hours per visit, except for the last admission at 5:45 PM which is only 75 minutes.

What Are the Entry Fees for Galleria Borghese?

Adults over 18 years old pay €13.00 at the on-site ticket counters. EU citizens or EU residence permit holders not older than 25 years qualify for a special rate of €2.00. Teenagers and children under 18 have free admission. Only a maximum of 180 people are allowed in the museum at the same time, so the chances of buying tickets on-site for the same day are almost zero.

Where to buy: The best option is to purchase tickets online in advance, ensuring you can visit on your desired day. All tickets are sold with a fixed visit time (usually 2 hours) on the booked day.

Wait times: Generally negligible, since only 180 people are allowed in at any one time and tickets have a fixed visit time - ticket holders are admitted within minutes of their booked slot.

How Do I Get to Villa & Galleria Borghese?

If you are in the city center, near the Spanish Steps or Piazza del Popolo, you can easily reach Villa Borghese on foot. If you prefer public transportation, the metro station "Flaminio - Piazza del Popolo" on Line A is your best option; from there it is a short, pleasant walk through Piazza del Popolo and up to the park entrance. The villa is also well-connected by numerous bus lines - get off at "Pinciana/Museo Borghese," "Pinciana/Allegri," or "Bioparco."

For taxi or ride services, the address to provide is: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 00197 Rome, Italy. If driving, note that parking can be limited near Villa Borghese, though some paid spots are available.

Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 00197 Rome, Italy