Barco Borghese

About the museum

The Barco Borghese is a large square terrace overlooking Rome, in the territory of Monte Porzio Catone. One third of the area rests on a series of at least 180 vaulted concrete rooms, built around the middle of the 1st century BC as the foundations of an enormous base, traditionally attributed to a Roman villa later incorporated into a vast imperial estate.

One of the sides forms a monumental façade that served as a backdrop for open-air performances. In the 16th century, from 1567 onwards, the Altemps transformed the terrace into a “barco”, that is, an enclosure for game animals; later it became the Italian garden of the Borghese, part of the overlying Villa Mondragone.

After a long period of abandonment, the complex has been recovered and restored; it is still the subject of study. The visit follows an underground route that offers an overview of Roman building techniques and also shows epigraphic evidence.

Highlights

• Underground route among Roman vaulted rooms
• Monumental façade used as a stage backdrop
• Inscriptions on the walls
• Panoramic terrace overlooking Rome

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso sotterraneo del complesso archeologico – Guided itinerary among the vaulted Roman substructures, with epigraphic evidence.

Operated by

Comune di Monte Porzio Catone

Visitors per year

approx. 700

Admission & discounts

The rates come from a listing on a sector portal (updated in 2024) and should be checked at the time of booking.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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