Why the
Borghese Gallery
in Rome is special

The Borghese Gallery is one of the world's finest small art museums. It's a favorite among art insiders. The splendid art collection was initiated in the early 1600s by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. It is housed in his palace-like dwelling.

The highlight is the extensive collection of early marble statues of Bernini.

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Borghese Gallery
tips & insights

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Museum's most
famous artworks

Two stand out:

Apollo and Daphne

This 1625 statue propelled Bernini into international stardom.

Pauline Borghese

The model for Canova's reclining statue of Venus was Napoleon's sister, the Princess Pauline Borghese. She created a scandal in staid European aristocracy because she posed voluptuously bare from her head down to her upper pelvic area.

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Other
renowned artwork

Statuary:

David
Bernini

Rape of Persephone
Bernini

Paintings:

David & Goliath
Correggio

Deposition
Rubens

Sacred & Profane Love
Titian

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Make reservations
far ahead

The petite museum can accommodate few people during each 2-hour visitor period. I recommend you make your reservations a month or more in advance. You can obtain them online through various websites.

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Is there
an audio tour?

There is one and it's decent, but the live tour guide makes the artwork come to life.

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Borghese Museum's
location in Rome

It sits on the edge of Villa Borghese, by far Rome's largest park.

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World's Top 1000 Wonders

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Related pages

Top wonders of Italy
Italy Wonders - Map
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World's Top 100 Wonders

World's Top 1000 Wonders

Site map

My credentials
About my website and criteria
Reader testimonials

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Enit - Tourist Board

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