Galleria Borghese for Families

Small and manageable, yet filled with masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art, the private collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, housed in the Galleria Borghese, offers one of the best opportunities for children (and their lucky parents) to learn about art and history in Rome.

As nephew to Pope Paul V, Cardinal Borghese was a power broker in 17th century Rome, designing a large, sumptuous garden villa on the edge of Rome to house an amazing collection of art. His impeccable taste and trained eye was virtually unprecedented and set an incredibly high standard for any subsequent private collection that followed. Although looted by Napoleon a century later, the collection remains one of the best in Rome and a perfect setting for an educational visit.

Using inquiry-based learning techniques to stimulate discussion between children and adults, our expert docents will create a narrative based on the individual stories of the artists, how they lived, and how they created their masterpieces. Works by Raphael, Bernini, Caravaggio, and Titian feature prominently in the museum, allowing your family to see a broad and iconic range of artists important to Italian art history.

Themes such as mythology and history are predominant, allowing families to draw upon their own knowledge and participate in the story telling, while our docent takes care to point out hidden details and symbols in the works. These details can aid in your understanding and identification of the meaning behind the art. In this way our aim is to not only have your family understand the works in the Galleria Borghese, but to equip you with the basics for understanding other art historical sites and museums during your travels.

Cancellation Policies