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Masterpieces of the Borghese Gallery

The Borghese Gallery is the most famous art gallery in Rome, and justly so. It’s really unique, because it wasn’t intended as a museum, but it was once the week-end getaway of the wealthiest cardinal in Rome, Scipione Borghese, nephew to Pope Paul V. Scipione had the Villa built in 1607, and used it to entertain his guests, to show off his immense wealth, and to display his fabulous art collection. 

Over the years, the Borghese family continued to add to the collection, which boasts masterpieces by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian; in the early 1700s the rooms where refurbished in an even more opulent way than before. Eventually, in 1902 the building, the collection and the gardens were acquired by the Italian government and turned into a public museum.

The Gallery has two floors: on the first floor, you find the lavish rooms where the Borghese family hosted their grand parties and receptions, housing the amazing sculptures Gian Lorenzo Bernini created as a young artist for Cardinal Scipione. You’ll feel like you just stepped into a fairytale palace, full of frescoes, gilded stuccowork, precious marble. 

On the upper floor we’ll see the private rooms where Scipione would stay whenever he spent time in his country retreat; nowadays they house the picture gallery, with millions of dollars in paintings hanging on the walls. Hear about the cardinal’s escapades, and how his passion for art led him to cajole, bribe, and threaten people, to get the masterpieces he coveted most.

What is a live virtual tour?

In my live virtual tours, we meet on Zoom at an agreed time for the tour selected (please download the free app Zoom Meetings on your PC, tablet or smartphone; type in the code you receive from me, and you are good to go!). It will be either just you and your family if you have booked a private tour, or it might be a group of people from different parts of the world if you choose the join-in option.

It is not a pre-recorded video, but a live online experience with your expert local guide. Using slides, videos and animations, I’ll lead you to explore some of the most amazing places in Rome in depth, in a way that wouldn’t be possible when visiting in person. Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact, ask questions, take part in games and quizzes, meet other people on the tour!

Why choose a live virtual tour? Because...

  • you’ll be able to experience the art work literally “zooming in”, discovering details impossible to see when you are standing in front of it, enjoying it while you make yourself comfortable.
  • most popular tourist venues are often overcrowded, so it’s not always possible to really enjoy the details and take the time needed to fully soak in the place.
  • it is a wonderful opportunity to have a family get-together even if you are spread in a dozen cities: just grab a drink or a coffee and meet on Zoom with your guide and your dear ones, to explore one of the must-sees every traveler has on his bucket list.
  • it is a perfect opportunity to get prepared for the trip you’ve been dreaming about for so long, in order to get the most out of it once you’ll be on site.
  • it is the best way to relish in some great memories after your trip is over, to ask all the questions you would have loved to ask and never had the opportunity to get answered.

You can either book your private virtual tour, so all family members and friends can take part in it, and the Q&A session will be tailored to your needs and interests; or you can book a spot on a “join-in” basis on one of the scheduled days. The latter option means that you’ll enjoy the tour alongside with other travelers from around the world.

Private tour is 100,00 EUR.

Join-in is 10,00 EUR per connection.