Rome is internationally known as a city of art and culture. As the home of one of the most influential civilizations in human history, you can expect to learn a lot on your tour of the city. A good thing about Rome is that most of its famous attractions are within walking distance of each other. That means you can cover them within a few days. Just make sure you take guided tours and book early. So, which are the must-see museums and galleries in Rome? Here are the four most popular ones.
1. The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums are located in the Vatican City, which is a sovereign state within Rome. These museums hold art pieces collected by the Catholic Church and papacy over the past centuries, including some of the most important sculptures from the Roman Empire. One of the key attractions you’ll find here is the Sistine Chapel, which was designed by Michaelangelo. It’s the last room you’ll go through as you tour the Vatican Museums. It’s important to note that more than 5 million people visit the museum every year. With Rome-Tourist.com, you can see which months are the best for a visit to these museums.
2. Capitoline Museums
Located on top of the Capitoline Hill, these museums focus on the history of Ancient Rome. Most of the collections in the museums are from the ancient world, which includes Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. You’ll also see works by famous painters like Rubens, Caravaggio, and Guercino. It’s interesting to note that the Capitoline Museums date back to the 15th century and rank as some of the oldest public museums in the world.
3. Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery was built inside the private residence of the uber-wealthy Borghese family. To experience this gallery fully, you should take a 2-hour guided tour. Usually, fewer than 300 people are allowed to tour the gallery at any time. That means you’ll always get personalized tours without having to deal with throngs of tourists. As an old gallery, this place showcases artwork that covers different centuries, although it has a major focus on the Baroque period.
4. National Roman Museum
Home to ancient Roman sculptures, this is a great museum for anyone interested in the history of the city. Wall paintings, mosaics, and different objects from the ancient Roman era are also on display in this museum. Some everyday objects that date from the 1st to the 10th centuries AD include pots, coins, toys, and various tools. A tour through the National Roman Museum will give you a chance to walk in the shows of regular residents of ancient Rome.
Conclusion
Rome is home to many art galleries and museums. The best ones to visit are the Vatican Museums, Capitoline Museums, Borghese Galleries, and the National Roman Museum. As mentioned, it’s better to tour these museums outside the tourist season. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get the full experience of the galleries.
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
