Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica - Palazzo Barberini

Decided to hide here from the unexpected drizzle falling upon Rome, and couldn't be more pleasantly surprised. Took around two hours overall to see everything including a lovely garden a bit further into the gallery yard, and the rooms were almost empty during the last few working hours. Each time you enter a room with a gorgeous ceiling, your mouth falls open. Caravaggio stuns as always, and you can wander around counting the number of Judith' and Holofernes' heads you can see portrayed by different artists. There's this one room that stands out-it feels malleable, grand, and intimate to a fault, despite other visitors craning their necks up near you. What a miracle, truly!

Palazzo Barberini offers a beautifully curated Renaissance art collection, perfect for art lovers seeking a peaceful experience. The gallery is just the right size — not overwhelming or crowded — allowing visitors to truly appreciate masterpieces in a tranquil setting. A must-visit for those who value quiet, thoughtful engagement with art.

The Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica at Palazzo Barberini is an absolute must for art lovers. The collection is impressive, featuring masterpieces by Artemisia Gentileschi, Raphael, and Caravaggio. The palace itself is stunning, with beautifully decorated ceilings and grand architecture. Unlike other major museums in Rome, it’s not overcrowded, allowing for a more immersive experience. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is peaceful, making it a perfect place to appreciate Renaissance and Baroque art. Highly recommended for those who enjoy history, culture, and a bit of tranquility in the heart of the city.

Variety of different artwork. The building was very intricate and beautiful with the statues. The main area with the painted ceiling is absolutely stunning!

This museum is set within a 17th-century palace complex and features a well-curated collection of paintings, showcasing various styles such as High Renaissance, Mannerism, and Baroque. The architectural design of the building itself is intriguing. The chance to see works by Caravaggio and his followers makes the visit worthwhile, along with pieces by Raphael, Hans Holbein the Younger, and El Greco. Although it isn't the oldest structure in Rome—where you can find artifacts and ruins over a thousand years old—it still serves as an important landmark. It sporadically houses temporary events, a recent one being a group exhibition on the New American Realism, a much recent movement which blends social commentary and figure based representation based on mundane objects. Such a dynamic use of exhibition space adds to the relevance of this institution to the art scene.

Stunning building & wonderful collection. I loved the combination of stunning architecture as well as stunning works. You are taken on a journey through history with a visit here. There were no queues & there are descriptions of everything if you are wanting to learn about the pieces. There are also a good number of seats to be able to take it all in.

I wandered in to admire the entrance and saw a staircase opening on to an outside area so I went up and found myself in a big courtyard and garden that was not only free to walk but had a first rate cafe that was barely attended despite the crowds on the streets outside. I paid 1.60 euro for a cappuccino at the bar. What a result! The front of the Palazzo is undergoing renovation and is hidden behind a scaffolding screen so I gave the museum a miss

The Palazzo Barberini Museum is a 17th-century palace in Rome located near Piazza Barberini. Palazzo Barberini is now the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, the main national collection of older paintings in Rome. It is the prototypical Baroque palace, designed by three of the most important architects of the 17th century: Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. The beautiful building has two sets of stairs leading to the piano nobile, a large squared staircase by Bernini to the left and a smaller oval staircase by Borromini to the right. Here , you will find several masterpieces of art. It includes Raphael's portrait La fornarina, Caravaggio's Judith Beheading Holofernes, and a Hans Holbein portrait of Henry VIII. What a wonderful place to spend your afternoon !