Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini
Quick answer
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini in Rome, Italy — the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica is Italy's national gallery of old master painting, split across two historic Roman palaces: Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Corsini. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: €15 standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | €15 standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at Barberini opening — the Grand Salon is best enjoyed in quiet. |
| Getting there | Metro: Barberini (Line A) — 5-minute walk to Palazzo Barberini on Via delle Quattro Fontane |
| Address | Via delle Quattro Fontane, 13, 00184 Roma RM, Italy |
| Official website | barberinicorsini.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini known for?
The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica is Italy's national gallery of old master painting, split across two historic Roman palaces: Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Corsini. Together they hold one of the most important collections of Renaissance and Baroque art in Rome outside the Vatican.
Palazzo Barberini, designed by Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borromini, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is the principal venue. Its grand staircase by Borromini and Bernini's ceiling fresco by Pietro da Cortona in the Grand Salon frame masterworks by Raphael, Caravaggio, Holbein, and Guido Reni.
Palazzo Corsini, on the Janiculum hill in Trastevere, displays the collection of Queen Christina of Sweden alongside Italian Baroque painting in an eighteenth-century noble residence. A single ticket grants access to both locations within a set period.
The gallery is part of Italy's network of state museums (Direzione Musei Nazionali di Roma) and offers a quieter, more scholarly alternative to the crowded rooms of the Vatican Museums.
Best for: Art Lovers · Architecture Enthusiasts · Baroque Art Fans
How long do you need at Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
La Fornarina
📍 Palazzo Barberini, Main Floor
Raphael's portrait of his reputed lover Margherita Luti, the baker's daughter, wearing his signature pearl armband inscribed with the artist's name.
- 2
Judith Beheading Holofernes
📍 Palazzo Barberini, Caravaggio Room
Caravaggio's second treatment of the Judith subject, rendered with shocking physical immediacy and dramatic chiaroscuro.
- 3
Portrait of Henry VIII
📍 Palazzo Barberini
A full-length portrait from the workshop of Holbein showing the English king in sumptuous dress, among the finest royal portraits in Italy.
- 4
Triumph of Divine Providence
📍 Palazzo Barberini, Grand Salon ceiling
A vast Baroque ceiling fresco celebrating the Barberini papal dynasty, painted in the palace's most spectacular room.
What are the must-see works at Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini?
4 highlights that define the collection: La Fornarina, Judith Beheading Holofernes, Portrait of Henry VIII and more.
La Fornarina
Raphael · c. 1518–1520
📍 Palazzo Barberini, Main Floor
Raphael's portrait of his reputed lover Margherita Luti, the baker's daughter, wearing his signature pearl armband inscribed with the artist's name.
Judith Beheading Holofernes
Caravaggio · c. 1598–1599
📍 Palazzo Barberini, Caravaggio Room
Caravaggio's second treatment of the Judith subject, rendered with shocking physical immediacy and dramatic chiaroscuro.
Portrait of Henry VIII
Hans Holbein the Younger · c. 1540
📍 Palazzo Barberini
A full-length portrait from the workshop of Holbein showing the English king in sumptuous dress, among the finest royal portraits in Italy.
Triumph of Divine Providence
Pietro da Cortona · 1633–1639
📍 Palazzo Barberini, Grand Salon ceiling
A vast Baroque ceiling fresco celebrating the Barberini papal dynasty, painted in the palace's most spectacular room.
Collections and highlights
- • Raphael and High Renaissance Roman painting
- • Caravaggio and seventeenth-century naturalism
- • Bernini and Pietro da Cortona at Palazzo Barberini
- • Holbein and Northern Renaissance portraits
- • Queen Christina's collection at Palazzo Corsini
- • Guido Reni and Bolognese Baroque
- • Italian Mannerist painting
- • Decorative arts and period palace rooms
Tips for visiting Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at Barberini opening — the Grand Salon is best enjoyed in quiet.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate at Barberini; Palazzo Corsini is usually very quiet.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €12 combined ticket for both palaces; valid for several days.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Cafés near Quattro Fontane; Trastevere restaurants near Palazzo Corsini.
- 5.
Accessibility
Barberini has a lift; Corsini has limited access due to historic stairs.
How do you get to Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini?
- metro Barberini (Line A) — 5-minute walk to Palazzo Barberini on Via delle Quattro Fontane
- bus Multiple buses serve Via del Tritone and Via delle Quattro Fontane near Barberini
- walk Palazzo Corsini in Trastevere — 20 minutes from Barberini or tram 8 to Trastevere
Address: Via delle Quattro Fontane, 13, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini: frequently asked questions
Is one ticket valid for both palaces?
Yes — admission also covers Palazzo Corsini in Trastevere within twenty days.
Are the staircases worth the climb?
Definitely — Bernini's grand stair and Borromini's helicoidal stair are masterpieces in themselves.
How long should I spend at Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini. Our 4-stop route — La Fornarina, Judith Beheading Holofernes, Portrait of Henry VIII and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini best known for?
Palazzo Barberini was begun by Carlo Maderno and finished by Bernini and Borromini in 1633. The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica took up residence in 1949. Key highlights include Judith Beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio, La Fornarina by Raphael, Triumph of Divine Providence ceiling by Pietro da Cortona.
How do I get tickets for Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini?
Admission: €15 standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.barberinicorsini.org/en/
Do I need to visit both palaces?
Palazzo Barberini has the greatest masterpieces, but Palazzo Corsini is worth the trip for its quieter atmosphere and Queen Christina's collection.
Is Palazzo Barberini the same as the National Gallery of Ancient Art?
Yes — Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica is the official name. Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Corsini are its two venues.
How long is the ticket valid?
The combined ticket typically allows entry to both palaces within a multi-day window — check current terms at ticket purchase.
Is Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini open on Mondays?
No — Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini's opening hours?
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica – Palazzo Barberini free to visit?
No — standard admission is €15 standard admission.
