Do you want to go on a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery in Rome? Well, you are in the right place then.
Rome the Eternal City is filled with historical gardens and galleries. We all know that the place is well known for its rich culture and unique masterpieces. Roman art consists of architecture, mosaic work, and sculpture. These were all designed in ancient Rome during the Roman Empire period. But figure painting and sculpture symbolized the top form of Roman Art. There are around 60 galleries in total. Some of which you must pay a visit to once in Rome.
About Borghese Gallery
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Borghese Gallery is known as Galleria Borghese in the Italian language. It is the state museum of Rome and is famous for its collection of ancient sculptures and paintings. The gallery is situated in the Borghese gardens on Pincian Hill.
The gallery was built in the 16th century and got its name from Scipione Borghese who used to reside there. An architect named Jan van Santen designed it in the style of an Ancient Rome Villa. The paintings inside the building were collected by Pope Paul V and his nephew Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The antiques were placed in the Museum in the 18th and 19th centuries. By Marcantonio Borghese and Francesco Borghese in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Until 1903 the property belonged to the Borghese family. But then the government of Italy decided to purchase it and open it to the public.
This gallery contains several well-known works, particularly from the Renaissance. So taking a professional guided tour at the Borghese gallery is the best way to see everything.
How to do a Guided tour at Borghese Gallery
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Select the preferred tour guided service provider
Many tour guide services can take you around Borghese Gallery. But not all service providers have various facilities. Such as Rome Tour Tickets, tourHQ, and many more. Each of the agencies provides different services for visitors.
To enjoy the tour to the fullest, it is highly recommended that you go for Rome Tour Tickets. One of the reasons for suggesting this particular service provider is because they have the facility of Skip-the-line tickets. Also, another advantage is that they have tour guides who speak both French and English. Whereas other service providers only have guides that can speak only English. The Rome Tour Ticket also offers tourists a long walk around Borghese Garden.
Manage the tour itinerary
When the travelers choose the guided tour they don’t have to think about curating their own itinerary. As it will be managed by the tour-guided service.
The benefits of how the guided tour helps to simplify the tour itinerary are-
- The tour guide will take approximately 3 hours to complete the tour. This is an advantage as the guide will not take extra time, which may have been required if you take a private tour.
- Since the gallery is full of historical facts. A tour guide can explain each and every detail related to the statues and paintings.
- All the group members must meet together in Piazzale del Museo Borghese. This is located in front of the main entrance of the Borghese Gallery. Which in turn makes it easier for the tour guide to gather all the members together and become familiar with the faces.
Choose your preferred time and date
You can visit the gallery only on Sundays and Thursdays. You have the facility to choose when you wish to enter. But keep in mind that it takes a good 3 hours to complete the whole tour. Opening and closing times are as follows:
- Thursday 9 AM – 9 PM
- Sunday 9 AM – 7 PM
Choose skip the line entry ticket
There are many benefits when you decide to skip the line entry at Borghese.
- No more wasting time by standing in long queues to enter the Gallery.
- By booking tickets in advance you will be confirmed that you will not be turned away from the line. Just in case there are too many visitors at the same time.
- Discounts are available for children under 18.
- Once in Rome, you can plan your day accordingly.
Take the audio-guided tour inside the Borghese Gallery
- The audio-guided tours are available in four different languages. These include French, German, Italian, English, and Spanish.
- You can take your time and roam around the way you like.
- You can spend as much or less time in certain areas which suit you.
- An audio tour does not need to be booked in advance. As soon as you enter the Gallery you can rent an audio tour from the desk.
What to see inside the Borghese Gallery
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Cardinal Scipione Borghese
Scipione Borghese was born in September 1577 and passed away in October 1633. He was the nephew of Pope Paul V. Borghese was an Italian Cardinal, patron of the arts, and an art collector. He was responsible for his huge contribution to the art collection for the Borghese Gallery.
In 1632 the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini managed to make a marble portrait sculpture which was named, ‘Two Busts of Cardinal Scipione Borghese.’ The sculpture represents Borghese while he was in the middle of a speech and just about to turn his head to pass a remark. The detailed marble features show his gaze which symbolizes that Borghese is used to being respected by others. Even the wrinkles on his face are realistic.
Bernini’s work
Bernini was an Italian artist who was famous for his sculptures and works of architecture back in the 17th century. The artist adopted the Baroque style of sculpture.
Some of the artist’s best works have been displayed in Borghese gallery
- David, 1622 – is still known to be one of the trustworthy baroque statues. The statue shows David standing in such a way that all his weight is carried on one leg. His body was twisted and there was a feeling of concentration. The armor lies underneath his legs indicating that the weapons are not needed. The statue of David portrays that he was about to attack Goliath.
- Aeneas, Anchises & Ascanius – This outstanding sculpture was completed in 1619. The statue shows that Aeneas is carrying his father Anchises on his shoulder. At the same time, Ascanius the son of Aeneas is standing near his father’s feet. The sculpture shows the elderly father carrying a pot that is full of ashes of two Roman household gods and ancestors. It shows that they are leaving Rome.
- Apollo and Daphne, 1625 – The statue tells the story of Apollo being struck with Cupid’s arrow. Which then strikes Daphne as she meets Apollo. The structure shows his legs in a manner that he is trying his best to get hold of Daphne. But Daphne turns into a laurel tree as soon as Apollo grabs her. This can be seen as her hands and legs start to change into leaves and branches.
Caravaggio paintings
Caravaggio’s paintings are well known as he took inspiration from different stories of the Bible. He was one of the most influential artists of the Baroque period. He was born on September 29, 1571, and passed away on July 18, 1610.
The paintings are a combination of a real-life observation of the human state (emotional and physical) mixed with the use of lighting. The paintings were done in such a way that every detail was made visible. This was done with the help of using different shades of colors to emphasize each element.
The paintings often showed critical scenes and moments. They also displayed torture, death, and violent struggles.
Some of the paintings of Caravaggio which can be found in the Borghese Gallery are:
- The Sick Bacchino – Painted in 1594. The painting is done on canvas where a young man is seen with bluish lips and pale skin color. There is a crown of leaves on his head and also fruits in the portrait.
- The Boy with the Fruit Basket – This is one of the most famous paintings of the artist. Also done between the period of 1593 and 1594. It shows a boy dressed in simple clothes leaving the upper part of his body uncovered. In his hand is a basket full of fruits. This painting represents Caravaggio’s view of the fact that time is inevitable.
- The San Girolamo Scrivente – a canvas which was done from 1605-1606. The painting is divided into three quarters where most of the work shows a desk, with objects on it. It shows that life is at a standstill.
- David with the head of Goliath – a canvas done in 1609. The painting shows a contrast between the darkness of David’s shoulder with the rest of his body which is beaming with light.
- The Madonna and Child with Saint Anne – was painted in Rome back in 1605. It is an image of Jesus when he was a child. It shows that Jesus was killing a snake that crawled at his feet out of nowhere.
Statue of the Sleeping Hermaphroditus
This particular life-size statue is a marble sculpture that lies upon a mattress. It represents the son of Hermes and Aphrodite who went by the name of Hermaphroditus. The statue was created back in 1620 by the Italian artist Gianzo Lorenzo Bernini.
The statue represents a particular subject that was shown a repealed number of times back in ancient Rome in Hellenistic times. The Sleeping Hermaphroditus is known to be a good Roman copy of a bronze original.
Borghese Gardens
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The park is one of the largest in Rome and situated just outside the Borghese Gallery. It has a total of 9 entrances and many paths which lead to around 100 attractions. The garden occupies a space of 80 hectares of land and it is located on Pincian Hill. Cardinal Scipione Borghese developed the park.
The main attractions of the place are
- There is a small cinema house inside the gardens. Where both adults and children can enjoy movies.
- You can pay a visit to the Temple of Aesculapius.
- There is a lake inside the gardens where you can roam around. All you have to do is rent out a boat.
- An architect named Gioacchino Ersoch created a water clock fountain in the gardens back in 1873. This is now open for public viewing.
- There is an exquisite fountain which is named, ‘Fountain of the Sea Horses.’
- Those of you coming with children, in particular, will appreciate the opportunity to show them the Bioparco Zoo.
- There is a games arcade which is open-air and also a play center for the little ones.
Benefits of the Guided Tour
- The tour guide will explain all the details and history of the paintings and sculptures inside the gallery.
- The guides speak in different languages and it will be easy to understand for those who are not familiar with the Italian language.
- Since the gallery is pretty big. You might end up missing important collections. Hence a guided tour will enable you to see everything inside. And all of that within the time frame.
- Each tour group has a limited number of members. This makes it easier for the guide to answer questions asked by visitors.
Final Word
Rome is full of exquisite places to visit. Although there are many gardens and galleries across the eternal city. But I would highly recommend those who have a knack for historical art and sculptures to drop by Borghese gallery. Traveling with children may cause them boredom.
Hence there is a beautiful garden outside with all sorts of recreation available for the youngsters. Do keep in mind that the tour is only available on Sundays and Thursdays when planning your trip since it will take a good three hours to finish roaming around.
Lastly, skip the line tickets are available. Please book the tickets to avoid wasting time by standing in lines to enter. These tickets can save money as the discount is available for children up to the age of 18.
