Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica - Palazzo Barberini

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The palace interior features a rare 'square' staircase designed by Bernini and a 'helical' oval staircase designed by Borromini.

2. 2

   The Gran Salone ceiling fresco represents a pinnacle of Baroque illusionism, utilizing forced perspective to expand the architectural space.

3. 3

   The site sits on the former foundations of the Sforza gardens, which were acquired by the Barberini family to build their residence.

4. 4

   It is one of the few Roman palaces that retains a significant portion of its original 17th-century interior decoration.

5. 5

   The painting 'La Fornarina' by Raphael is believed to depict the baker's daughter who served as his muse and lover.

6. 6

   The museum collection includes pieces recovered from the confiscation of the Sciarra Colonna collection in the 19th century.

7. 7

   The building was purchased by the Italian State in 1949 to establish a national gallery for ancient art.

8. 8

   The palace contains the Barberini archives, documenting the administrative and artistic history of one of Rome's most powerful families.

Overview

Palazzo Barberini is a 17th-century Baroque palace that serves as a primary location for the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica. The building was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and designed by leading architects Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini, and Carlo Maderno. The palace houses a significant collection of Italian and European paintings ranging from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Its most famous room is the Gran Salone, which features the massive 'Triumph of Divine Providence' fresco by Pietro da Cortona. Key masterpieces include Raphael's 'La Fornarina', Caravaggio's 'Judith Beheading Holofernes', and Hans Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII. The architecture itself functions as an exhibit, showcasing distinct staircases designed by Bernini and Borromini respectively. The palace layout reflects the aristocratic grandeur of the Barberini family during the Roman Baroque period. It is one of the two sites comprising the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica, the other being Palazzo Corsini.

Insider tips

• Visit the second floor first to see the major masterpieces before the galleries become crowded.

• Look for the smaller, less-visited rooms on the ground floor which house early Renaissance works often overlooked by the crowds.

• Check the official website for temporary exhibitions that may affect access to certain wings of the palace.