Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica
Palazzo Barberini is an imposing Baroque building that houses the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, the National Gallery of Ancient Art. Commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, the mansion was the most elegant and luxurious villa of the period.
Il Palazzo
In 1623, Maffeo Barberini, once made Pope (Pope Urban VIII), ordered the construction of the estate to Italian architect Carlo Maderno, who is responsible for the design of St Peter’s Basilica’s façade. The construction started in 1625 and was finished in 1633 by Bernini, after Maderno’s death.
In 1949, the Italian State bought the palazzo to house the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, which was created from the donations of pieces of art by several noble Italian families.
Exhibitions
The National Gallery of Ancient Art features over 1,400 works of art of renowned artists from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century, including Titian, El Greco, Caravaggio, Tintoretto or Raphael and his famous portrait, La Fornarina.
One of the most noteworthy halls is the oval salone, covering the entire height of the building. The salon’s ceiling has a vast fresco by the Italian Baroque artist Pietro da Cortona, depicting the Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power.
A breath-taking museum
The Palazzo Barberini is a magnificent museum, worth discovering its art collection, as well as its façade and its impressive halls.
Schedule
Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm
Closed: January 1, December 25
Price
Adults: € 15 (US$ 15.78)
EU citizens (ages 18 – 25): € 2 (US$ 2.10)
Under 18s: free
Transport
Metro station: Barberini, line A.
Buses: 52, 53, 56, 58, 58, 60, 61, 95, 116, 175, 492 and 590.
Nearby places
Piazza Barberini (103 m) Our Lady of the Conception (205 m) Santa Maria della Vittoria (400 m) Piazza della Repubblica (536 m) Piazza del Quirinale & Palazzo del Quirinale (544 m)
