Palazzo Barberini is a Baroque palace and art museum in central Rome, a short walk from Piazza Barberini and the Trevi Fountain. Home to part of the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica, it offers a rare combination: major paintings in rooms that are attractions in their own right, without the relentless crowds of some better-known Roman sights.
The palace was commissioned by the Barberini family after Maffeo Barberini became Pope Urban VIII in 1623. Carlo Maderno began the project, with Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini contributing after his death. Look for Bernini’s square staircase and Borromini’s graceful spiral one, then head to the main salon for Pietro da Cortona’s vast ceiling fresco, Triumph of Divine Providence, a spectacular expression of papal power and Baroque ambition.
The collection spans centuries of Italian and European art. Among its best-known works are Raphael’s La Fornarina, Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes and Hans Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII. Allow around two hours to explore the galleries and appreciate the building without rushing.
For a quieter visit, try a weekday morning or late afternoon. Barberini metro station on Line A is a few minutes away on foot. Check the official website for current opening hours and closures, and leave time for the gardens at the rear if they are open.