Palazzo Barberini – Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica

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The Barberini Palace (Palazzo Barberini) is a 17^th-century palace in Rome facing the Piazza Barberini. It houses the Rome’s National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica). It was built in 1549 and occupied by the Sforza family. However, when Cardinal Alessandro Sforza had financial hardships, Maffeo Barberini purchased the building in 1625.

Three famous architects worked to create the palace: Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borromini, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who completed the works in 1633.

In 1953, the Barberini Palace became a museum and joined Galleria Corsini at the seat of Rome’s National Gallery. The collections of both Corsini Gallery and Barberini Palace include masterpieces such as “Allegory of Divine Providence” by Pietro da Cortona, “La Fornarina” by Raphael, “Judith and Holofernes” by Caravaggio, a bust of Urbano VIII by Bernini, and works from the 17^th and 18^th centuries from the collections of the Barberini and Corsini families.

Is Palazzo Barberini worth visiting?

The Palazzo Barberini is worth a visit to see Barberini's family's stunning art collection. The Museum is housed in a luxurious 17th-century Baroque palace.

How long to spend in the Palazzo Barberini?

I advise you to plan around 2 hours to visit the Museum in the Barberini Palace. Next to the palace is Piazza Barberini with the Triton fountain by Bernini, as well as a masterpiece of Baroque architecture - the church Saint Charles at the Four Fountains by Borromini.

What the barbarians did not do did the Barberini?

Pope Urban 8 ordered to take the antique bronze decoration of the portico of the Pantheon and melt it down to decorate the altar in St. Peter's Cathedral. That's why “Quod non fecerunt barbari, fecerunt Barberini”, or rather what the barbarians did not do, the Barberini is a saying often repeated in Rome. The motto appears for the first time in a “pasquinata,” which is a satirical phrase associated with “Pasquino,” the most famous talking statue in Rome.

Contents

1 What to See Inside?
- 1.1 Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio
2 Tickets and Opening Hours

What to See Inside?

Rome’s National Gallery contains masterpieces like Murillo’s “Madonna and Child,” Filippo Lippi’s “Tarquinia Madonna” with baby Jesus, and artworks by Rubens, Van Dyck, Andrea del Sarto, Luca Giordano, Guercino, and others.

Two famous works are masterpieces by Caravaggio and Guido Reni that connected to the life of John the Baptist.

Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio

Around 1605, Caravaggio dealt with St John the Baptist about two compositions: one in the Kansas City Gallery and the second in Rome’s National Gallery. The first one is laid out vertically, while the second one is horizontal. In the Roman version, only one cypress tree trunk is located on the left, while the Kansas version is set before many plants. Undoubtedly, both masterpieces are impressive.

Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio Palazzo Barberini Museum in Rome

Guido Reni, in turn, created “Salome with the Head of St. John the Baptist” 30 years later than Caravaggio, in 1630-35. The Bolognese painter depicted one of the New Testament’s stories. Salome, the daughter of Herodias, pleased her father, Herod Antipas, by dancing at his birthday celebration; he promised to realize her wish. However, prompted by her vengeful mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist, whom Herod had imprisoned for condemnation of marriage. So the painting illustrates the moment when the head of the saint is presented to the daughter.

See also a list of artworks by Caravaggio that can be seen in Rome.

Tickets and Opening Hours

Palazzo Barberini Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed Mondays, December 25th and January 1st.

Tickets: from 12 euros. The ticket also is valid for 20 days to visit Galleria Corsini in Trastevere Neighborhood.
Online reservations: www.tiqets.com or www.ticketone.it On weekends and public holidays, reservation is mandatory to access Palazzo Barberini and Galleria Corsini.
Official Website: www.barberinicorsini.org
Location: via delle Quattro Fontane, 13
How to get: Bus 53, 61, 62, 63, 80, 81, 83, 160, 492, 590 or Metro line A, stop Barberini.

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Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)