Villa Borghese in Rome is made in the English style and is a landmark of the Italian capital. The park, which is located on 80 hectares, preserves historical buildings, temples, museum expositions, biopark, fountains, sculptural compositions, museum of zoology, etc. The park provides strolling areas, places for outdoor recreation and painting.
History of Villa Borghese
A landmark in Italy is the estate of the Borghese family, belonging to the princely family. The complex is located in the center of Rome, contains architectural landmarks and a landscaped park area.
Stages of construction of the villa:
- In the 16th century, a plot of land was acquired for the cultivation of vineyards.
- After members of the Borghese family received a high political status it was decided to build a villa.
- The project of a park complex with buildings, sculptures and a complex system of water supply and fountains was developed.
- The complex was built by F. Pontius, D. Vasanzio, volumetric compositions were realized by P. and D. Bernini.
- Compositions for landscaping of the territory were created by D. Savini. Fountains and sculptures were built in the park area.
- The works were completed in 1633.
- Reconstruction and improvement of the complex were carried out in the XVIII century.
- Expansion of the green area was carried out in the XIX century by adding neighboring lands.
- In 1901 the complex was purchased by the government and opened for excursions.
What to see?
There is a picturesque park on the territory of about 80 hectares. The list of main attractions includes:
- Park area
- The Globe Theater;
- Villa Medici
- Villa Giulia
- Biopark
- Museum of Zoology
- National Gallery
The park territory is decorated with numerous fountains. The list of the most popular ones includes the following compositions:
- Fountain of sea horses built by V. Pacetti in the XVIII century according to a special project.
- The Turtle Fountains were erected in 1911 near the entrance to the gallery. The original composition consists of a rounded bowl decorated with floral reliefs, surrounded by figures of turtles.
- The Moses Fountain was erected in 1868.
- The Fountain of Venus was built in the XX century and includes a rounded basin with sculptural compositions.
- The Fountain of Winged Victoria was arranged in the second half of the XIX century. The composition is supplemented with spectacular bas-reliefs, engraved and pressed fruits in the form of garlands, decorative masks. In the central part of the composition there are sculptures of dolphins.
- Dark fountains were erected in the XVII century, the composition is complemented by rounded benches and a hedge of live plants. The sculptural object is located in the oak part of the park.
- The Mask Fountains are located near the main palace, built in the 17th century. The composition is decorated with family coats of arms and images of decorative masks.
National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery presents works by representatives of contemporary art, and the building contains paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. There are more than 5,000 works in the collection, for which more than 70 halls are allocated.
The following artists’ paintings and graphic works are exhibited in the rooms:
- Monet
- Van Gogh
- Degas
- Cézanne
- Kandinsky
Borghese Park
The Borghese Gardens are considered the largest green space in Rome. In the park you can plan a hike, ride bicycles, sigwei, a special steam train, horseback rides are offered. There are rides for children in the gardens.
In the park area there are ponds in which swans swim. Boats are available for hire on the lakes. A temple has been built in the center of the island area.
There is a small movie theater in the park. Observation tours are organized from the observation deck, which offers picturesque views of the Italian capital from an elevated position.
On the territory of the garden there are monuments to the following historical personalities:
- Goethe
- Hugo
- Gogol
- Byron
- Pushkin
The park territory is decorated with numerous fountains. The most popular ones include the following compositions:
- Fountain of sea horses built by V. Pacetti in the XVIII century according to a special project.
- The Turtle Fountains were erected in 1911 near the entrance to the gallery. The original composition consists of a rounded bowl decorated with floral reliefs, surrounded by figures of turtles.
- The Moses Fountain was erected in 1868.
- The Fountain of Venus was built in the XX century and includes a rounded basin with sculptural compositions.
- The Fountain of Winged Victoria was arranged in the second half of the XIX century. The composition is supplemented with spectacular bas-reliefs, engraved and pressed fruits in the form of garlands, decorative masks. In the central part of the composition there are sculptures of dolphins.
- Dark fountains were erected in the XVII century, the composition is complemented by rounded benches and a hedge of live plants. The sculptural object is located in the oak part of the park.
- The Mask Fountains are located near the main palace, built in the 17th century. The composition is decorated with family coats of arms and images of decorative masks.
National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery presents the works of representatives of modern art, the building contains pictorial works of the 19th-20th centuries. There are over 5,000 works in the collection, with over 70 rooms dedicated to them.
The following artists’ paintings and graphic works are exhibited in the rooms:
- Monet
- Van Gogh
- Degas
- Cézanne
- Kandinsky
Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery was designed and built in the 17th century and is characterized by exquisite architecture. The building displays paintings from the family collection. In addition to paintings, the gallery contains mosaics that were created in the 1st and 3rd centuries in Rome, sculptural compositions (Apollo and Daphne, David, Abduction of Proserpina, etc.).
Among the works featured are:
- Canova
- Rubens
- Bernini
- Titian
- Raphael
- Caravaggio
- Veronese
Biopark
This is a zoological park, rare species of animals and birds are collected on the territory. On the area of about 17 hectares there are more than 1000 representatives of the animal world, more than 300 species from different places of the planet. On the territory of the biopark scientific activities are carried out, measurements and researches are carried out.
The park was designed in 1911, creating a natural habitat for wildlife. The space was subsequently reconstructed and rebuilt. There are ponds for swans and flamingos, a terrarium, a geodesic site, etc. Educational or entertainment programs for different audiences (children, adults) are organized on the territory.
Museum of Zoology
The Museum of Zoology was founded in 1832, the building collects findings of scientific expeditions, exhibits from private collections, etc. The modern museum is a center in which educational and scientific activities are carried out. The organization studies, collects data on the development of the animal world. The collection contains more than 5 million exhibits.
Halls were subsequently modernized, supplemented with equipment. Interactive exhibitions, lectures, dioramas, which tell about the evolution of the animal world, are held in the premises.
The halls are distributed in the following thematic areas:
- reptiles and amphibians
- birds, etc.
Other Points of Interest in Villa Borhese
The following attractions are also located in the park area:
- The house-museum of P. Kanonik, who was a composer, painter and sculptor. The expositions are dedicated to Kanonik’s creative path. The building exhibits sculptural compositions, antiques, collections of tapestry paintings by Flemish masters.
- In the Globe Theater, plays based on the plays of W. Shakespeare are staged. The building is built in the English style on the model of the London theater. The building was erected from rock oak wood in 2003, the work took only 3 months.
- The C. Bilotti Museum contains contemporary paintings and graphic works, and temporary exhibitions of contemporary painters and sculptors are organized in the halls.
- Villa Medici is provided for the French Academy of Arts.
- Villa Giulia was built in Mannerist style to house Pope Julius III. The building was allocated as a summer papal residence. At the time of its construction, the property contained rich palace buildings, and the buildings were surrounded by park complexes. Only a part of the buildings has been preserved. The main complex houses the National Museum with exhibits of Etruscan culture.
Interesting facts about Villa Borghese
- The park area is the 3rd largest green space in Rome, the park is among the largest in Italy.
- The park houses 3 secret gardens, which were intended for members of the Borghese family. In specially organized winter and other closed gardens exotic species of plants and fruit crops were bred.
- The small Cinema dei Piccoli is the oldest movie theater in Rome. The building was inaugurated in 1934. The chamber hall has 63 seats for spectators. The theater shows avant-garde and children’s films.
- Popular motion pictures have been filmed in the park.
- In the gardens of the Villa there is a rare exhibit – a water clock (hydrologium), created by Prof. D. Embriaco.
- In the park there is an obelisk dedicated to the military leader and ruler Mark Antony.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
The park area is available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free of charge.
The architectural complex operates on the following schedule:
Tuesday through Sunday – 09:00-19:00;
Monday – day off.
Tickets to the museum (Borghese Gallery) are sold online on the official website at a price starting from 20 euros. Preferential categories of citizens can buy a ticket for 9 €. For booking a ticket 2 € are charged. A visit to the biopark costs from 16 €.
How to Get to Villa Borghese
Subway
The subway is the most convenient and probably the fastest way to get to Villa Borghese. The nearest metro station is Spagna on the A line. It’s only a 10 minute walk to the park. Exit the station and walk up the famous Spanish Steps, then at Piazza Trinita dei Monti go straight ahead and you will see the entrance to Villa Borghese. The metro runs from 5.30am to 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
There are several bus routes to Villa Borghese, including bus numbers 52, 53, 63, 80, 83, 160, 490 and 590. The nearest bus stops are Pinciana/Museo Borghese or Pinciana/Casina Valadier. From them, the park is only a few minutes’ walk away. It is worth noting that buses in Rome can be crowded and slow, especially during rush hours.
Tickets Information
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese 5
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00, closed on Mondays.
Ticket price: 27 €, you can order here
National Gallery of Ancient Art of Palazzo Barberini
Address: Via delle Quattro Fontane 13
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 to 19:00, closed on Mondays.
Ticket price: 5 €
Spada Gallery
Address: Piazza Capo di Ferro 13.
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 to 19:30, closed on Mondays.
Ticket price: 5 €, children under 18 and people over 65 are free.
Galleria Corsini
Address: Via della Lungara 10
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 to 19:30, closed on Mondays.
Ticket price: 4 €, children under 18 and people over 65 free of charge.
Frequent questions about Villa Borghese
Where is Villa Borghese Located?
Villa Borghese is located between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. The nearest metro station is Flaminio, metro line A.
What is close to Villa Borghese?
Piazza del Popolo with its “twin churches” and the Spanish Steps is a popular place to relax and shop.
Is admission to Villa Borghese Park free?
Entrance to Villa Borghese Park is free of charge
