{"id":9625,"date":"2022-01-31T17:21:09","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T17:21:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/palazzo-barberini-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:31:11","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T13:31:11","slug":"palazzo-barberini-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/palazzo-barberini-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Palazzo Barberini in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Built in the 17th<\/sup> century by order of Pope Urban VIII, Palazzo Barberini is a true baroque architectural gem, created with the collaboration of some of the greatest architects of their time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the palace houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art, a marvelous museum whose collections will make art lovers swoon.
Expect masterpieces from Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, Tintoretto, Poussin, and El Greco, to name a few.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u26a0\ufe0f Heads up:<\/strong> Palazzo Barberini is incredibly popular, especially during peak season. To avoid wasting time in long lines,<\/strong> be sure to book your tickets in advance: Tickets for Palazzo Barberini<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Brief History of Palazzo Barberini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Construction of Palazzo Barberini<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1625, Pope Urban VIII \u2013 Maffeo Barberini \u2013 purchased the land from the Sforza family, where Palazzo Barberini stands today, and entrusted architect Carlo Maderno with the design of a grand baroque palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon Maderno\u2019s death in 1629, his nephew Francesco Borromini, who had been assisting him, took over the project. Bernini joined the effort and completed Palazzo Barberini in 1633.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only did Urban VIII commission the greatest architects of his time, but he also enlisted the iconic artist Pietro da Cortona for the palace\u2019s decoration. Cortona created the immense fresco on the ceiling of the grand salon, the Triumph of Divine Providence.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palazzo Barberini Through the Centuries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seized from the Barberini family by Pope Innocent X, Urban VIII’s successor (whose impressive portrait by Vel\u00e1zquez can be seen at the Doria Pamphilj Gallery<\/a>), the palace was eventually returned to the Barberini family in 1653.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than a century and a half later, between 1814 and 1819, the palace served as the exile residence for King Charles IV of Spain, who was forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII, in 1808.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1936, a mithraeum, a sanctuary of the Mithraic cult, was discovered in the cellars of Palazzo Barberini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1949, the Italian state acquired the palace and established the National Gallery of Ancient Art, with collections split between Palazzo Barberini, which houses the majority, and Palazzo Corsini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Palazzo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the National Gallery of Ancient Art at Palazzo Barberini<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Situated halfway between the Borghese Gallery<\/a> and the Roman Forum, Palazzo Barberini is worth visiting for both its incredible baroque architecture and its magnificent art collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palazzo Barberini: A Baroque Architectural Gem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The architecture of Palazzo Barberini is striking because it embodies two distinct faces, reflecting its dual functions: an official palace and a villa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facing Piazza Barberini, the palace presents a sober and austere facade \u2013 its official face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the rear, the columned facade overlooking the vast gardens is reminiscent of the grandest Roman villas (like the magnificent Villa Farnesina,<\/a> which Captain Ulysses also recommends visiting).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notable architectural features of Palazzo Barberini include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n