Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica - Palazzo Barberini

Disappointing Experience at the Caravaggio Exhibition As a huge admirer of Caravaggio, I traveled to Rome specifically to see the exhibition at Palazzo Barberini, along with a friend who is a professor of Fine Art. Sadly, the experience was deeply disappointing due to very poor organization. Despite booking a specific time slot (8:20 PM) and paying €18 per ticket, we were let in with large crowds of people, many of whom had later time slots. The staff didn’t bother checking entry times, which led to extreme overcrowding inside. We had to wait up to 20 minutes just to see a single painting, and the air quality was terrible due to the number of people. Even worse, audio guides were played aloud in various languages without headphones, turning what should have been a peaceful, respectful gallery visit into a chaotic, noisy experience. It felt more like a busy market than an art exhibition. The exhibition catalogue was also disappointing—€40 for a generic book about Caravaggio that had little to do with the actual exhibition. I ended up buying a smaller one that was slightly more useful. We weren’t just random critics—we were excited, genuine visitors who expected a world-class experience and left feeling frustrated and let down. Palazzo Barberini seriously needs to reconsider how it handles high-profile exhibitions. In the end, it felt more like a money-making machine than a well-organized, memorable cultural experience. A real shame, considering the incredible art on display.

The Caravaggio exhibition at Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica has been a highlight of our visit to Rome. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see, up close and personal, so many stunning Caravaggio works of art at one exhibition. Tickets can be purchased online and the exhibition runs until July. Even though you can select a time which limits the numbers for each visit, we found that it was very busy and crowded. It is a small price to pay however to experience this wonderful exhibition. If you are in Rome and can get tickets, I highly recommend that you do.

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.

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!

Really great museum for some very old and beautiful art pieces. The propriety itself is also beautiful, and had a rich history behind it dating back to the 1600s. Would not put this in front of some of the bigger museums in Rome but it certainly was a great pick for a 1-2 hour visit once you get your top priorities out of the way.

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.

It's an interesting museum of Roman artwork. There's a very good collection of Caravaggio in one of the rooms. We were happy to see some pieces by Raphael. It's a good way to beat the heat and wasn't too crowded when we were there. There are benches to sit on to observe the artwork and rest your feet.

Off to see Carvaggio, Not impressed, we came early for our timed ticket, 40 minutes, so I thought time for tea, we got a table, made an order, 20 minutes later the tea came, in an overstaffed quiet cafe, 5 minutes before we had to leave to get in the queue, then the bill which was outrageous. The exhibition was crowded with gawpers, which made it hard to see anything, the lighting poor, so reflections obscuring the view if you didn't view straight, which cut down the space you could view. I was hopeful but disappointed,