The Galleria Borghese

By: Paul den Arend

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The Galleria Borghese in Rome is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful museums in the city — and even in the world. It is a small museum with an exquisite collection, housed in a magnificent villa. Many of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s early masterpieces can be found here.

If you are ever in Rome, make sure to visit it. In my experience, many people find the Galleria Borghese even more beautiful than the Vatican Museums — something they did not expect beforehand. This may also have to do with the museum’s strict reservation system, which keeps the experience calm and enjoyable.

This guidebook will tell you the stories behind the great artworks in the museum. I will show you which pieces are the most famous, why they matter, and how knowing their stories makes viewing them far more enjoyable.

In this guidebook, you will find:

• Clear explanations of the most important artworks in the Galleria Borghese
• The stories behind Bernini’s early masterpieces and other highlights
• Guidance on which works to focus on and why they are significant
• Context that helps you truly understand and enjoy what you are seeing

This book does not aim to be a complete catalogue of every artwork in the museum. Instead, it focuses on the highlights and leaves out the lesser-known works. I take you through the museum step by step, just as I would guide a tour group in person.