Palazzo Barberini: A walk among art masterpieces

The Barberini Palace hosts the National Gallery of Ancient Art, entirely restored, located in Via delle Quattro Fontane, near Barberini Square

When Maffei Barberini became Pope Urban VIII in 1623, he decided that his family palace would have been constructed in the outskirts of the city, near the ruins of a temple. The task was entrusted to the architect Carlo Maderno, who built it as a country villa with wings that extended into the surrounding gardens. Unfortunately shortly after the laying of the foundations Carlo Maderno died and was succeeded by Bernini and Borromini, who brought his artistic mark through the elliptical spiral staircase inside.

Palazzo Barberini - Roma

The Barberini Palace hosts the National Gallery of Ancient Art, entirely restored. On the ground floor (reopened 2010) you can see paintings from the 12th to the 15th century; on the first floor (reopened2010) you can find artworks from the 16th and the 17th centuries until the Caravaggeschi and the Emiliani; on the second floor (reopened 2011) the late 17th century and the 18th century until the Roman Neoclassicism. Since 2011 the Palace has also an exhibition hall for temporary shows. The masterworks: Guido Reni, The Portrait of Beatrice Cenci, the young man who was executed for the murder of his father, and the beautiful Raphaels Fornarina, the crazy passion of the painter.

How to reach it from Hotel San Francesco

From Hotel San Francesco, you can take the tram n° 8 getting off at Via Arenula.
Then just take the bus n° 63, getting off at Barberini Square; Palazzo Barberini is located in Via delle Quattro Fontane, 13. 

 

Post edited by our receptionist Giuseppe