National Gallery of Ancient Art or Palazzo Barberini is one of the popular tourist attractions in Rome. Once this was a pope residence, and one can still observe and admire the beauty and luxury of this building. Also, some of the most important works of art of most well-known names in the world of art are exhibited here, Caravaggio, Raphael, El Greco, Tintoretto, Titian etc.
Palazzo Barberini was once a lavish residence of Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644) that was built by the best artists of that time: Maderno, Borromini and Bernini. All of these artists contributed with their personal style and character to the construction of the building. After the Second World War, in 1949, the building was bought by the state and it became the National Gallery of Ancient Art. Nowadays, after many donations and purchases, the collection is composed of art pieces from the 13th to the 18th century period, exhibited on three floors of this fascinating building.
The oldest art piece of the collection, Madonna Advocata (a priceless panel from the 12th century) is located next to the colored crosses from the 13th century and represents a great introduction to the whole collection which continues with pieces of Filippo Lippi - Madonna with a child (Madonna col bambino, 1437). The most important art pieces certainly are: Raphael’s Fornarina (La Fonarina, 1520), and from Caravaggio: Giudina that cuts off the head of the Oloferne (Giuditta che taglia la testa a Oloferne, 1597-1600), Narcissus (Narciso, 1598-1599) and Saint Francesco (San Francesco, 1606). Palazzo Barberini is also home to numerous masterpieces from the 16th century: El Greco and his famous paintings Adoration of the shepherds („Adorazione dei Pastori“,1546-1548), Baptising of Christ („Battesimo di Cristo“, 1546-1548), Tintoretto’s painting Christ and adulteress („Cristo e l'Adultera“, 1546-1548), Titian Venus and Adon („Venere e Adone“, 1553-1554).
A famous and very beautiful fresco Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power, painted on the ceiling of the “nobility floor” of the palace was painted by the famous Italian Baroque painter, Pietro da Corona. Even though the artist started his work in 1633 and had almost completely finished the work in the following three years, the fresco was finished only in 1639. On the fresco, one can observe many motifs of bees and the sun, which are related to the family’s coat of arms (on the coat of arms there are three bees). The fresco was supposed to highlight the holiness of the Pope and the power of his family. Some scientists claim that this fresco represents the last elections for the pope, which were considered rigged, as the holly prediction. In the Barberini building, also exhibitions of temporary nature are being organized, which are charged separately.
Palazzo Barberini exhibition area consists of three floors. Nevertheless, you should take in consideration that due to the restorations almost always one floor is closed for public.
Ticket prices for Palazzo Barberini Art Gallery in Rome
Regular ticket price is: 7 Euros (€).
Reduced ticket price is: 3.5 Euros (€), (for European Union citizens between 18 and 25).
Free entrance: citizens of the European Union, disabled individuals and their companions).
We advise you to check ticket prices before visiting on the official website of the Palazzo Barberini Art Gallery in Rome.
Working hours of Palazzo Barberini Art Gallery in Rome
From Tuesday to Sunday working hours are: 08:30 – 19:00h (last entrance 18:00).
Gallery is closed: All Mondays, January 1 and December 25.
We advise you to check the working hours before visiting on the official website of the Palazzo Barberini Art Gallery in Rome.
