Gallerie Nazionali Barberini Corsini – Palazzo Barberini

About the museum

Palazzo Barberini was begun in the 17th century at the wish of Maffeo Barberini, elected pope in 1623 as Urban VIII. Two years after buying a villa on the Quirinal that had belonged to the Sforza, the pope commissioned Carlo Maderno to design the new family palace, which incorporated the existing building instead of demolishing it.

After Maderno’s death, the direction of the building site passed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, to whom the glazed loggia on the façade is attributed, and to Francesco Borromini, probably the author of the oval-plan spiral staircase. The heart of the palace is the great reception hall, frescoed by Pietro da Cortona. Interior decoration continued until the mid-18th century, when Cornelia Costanza Barberini had a Rococo apartment created on the top floor.

The family’s descendants lived in the palace until 1955. Today the building, together with the Galleria Corsini in Trastevere, forms the Gallerie Nazionali Barberini Corsini, an institute of the Ministero della Cultura. The collections include paintings from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, with works by Caravaggio, Raphael and Guido Reni. A guided visit also gives access to the Mitreo Barberini, a sanctuary of Mithras from ancient Rome.

Highlights

• Salone by Pietro da Cortona
• Borromini’s spiral staircase and Bernini’s staircase
• Paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Guido Reni
• 18th-century Rococo apartment
• Mitreo Barberini (guided visit)

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente – Paintings from the Middle Ages to the 18th century in the rooms of the Baroque palace, with the great frescoed salone by Pietro da Cortona.

Founded

1893

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura

Visitors per year

approx. 192,459

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (Domenica al museo, free Museum Sunday), and 25 April, 2 June and 4 November

The ticket is valid for Palazzo Barberini and Galleria Corsini for 20 days from validation. Free admission also for EU school groups with teachers (on booking), ICOM members, tourist guides, journalists and employees of the Ministero della Cultura. The Gallerie Nazionali Pass gives unlimited entry to Palazzo Barberini and Galleria Corsini for one year. On free Sundays and special days, booking is recommended.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Depositing large bags, backpacks and umbrellas is mandatory; lockers measure 40 × 40 × 40 cm. Trolleys and luggage are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit