Palazzo Doria Pamphilj Has The Oldest and Most Prestigious Private Art Collection in Rome:
For artlovers, a visit to Palazzo Doria Pamphilj in Piazza del Collegio Romano is a must. Within the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is Rome’s richest private art collection. The art collection in Galleria Doria Pamphilj has been accumulated over 500 years.
Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is the grand and stately home of the Landi, Aldobrandini, Doria and Pamphilj families who were brought together through the union of marriage. For simplicity, the family now uses the Doria Pamphilj name. The oldest part of the Palazzo dates to 1435, but the current structure of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is mainly the efforts of the current owners, the Doria Pamphilj family.
The exterior of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is deceiving as the dull-coloured building hides the treasures that are contained within the Palace. Palazzo Doria Pamphilj has been home to princes, princesses and popes since the 16th century. Visitors to the Palazzo will see grand apartments, plush decoration, furniture and artwork befitting of the nobility. There is even a Throne Room (Sala del Trono) in which the throne is only turned to face the room during a papal visit.
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
Whilst the Palazzo’s apartments and decorations are themselves works of art, Palazzo Doria Pamphilj houses the greatest private collection of artwork in Rome. In the Galleria Doria Pamphilj are 400 paintings by master artists such as Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Tintoretto, Bernini and Velazquez.
The Galleria consists of 12 rooms that are covered floor-to-ceiling with paintings. The Aldobrandini Room and Primitives Room are where the masterpieces of the Doria Pamphilj family are kept. In the Aldobrandini Room, look for Titian’s Salomè con la testa del Battista (Salome with the Head of John the Baptist) and Caravaggio masterpieces, Riposso durante la fuga in Egitto (Rest During the Flight into Egypt) and Maddalene Penitente (Penitent Magdalen).
In the Velázquez Room is the portrait of Pope Innocent X. This Velázquez painting is the most important painting in the Doria Pamphilj collection and a special room was built for it. Although, it seems that the Pope did not like the painting, complaining that it was too real an image of him.
Guided Tour of Doria Pamphilj and Concert
You can also take a guided tour through the Doria Pamphilj Palace and enjoy a live concert in the exclusive setting of the Secret Apartment of the Princess.
For concert dates and booking information see HERE.
Getting to Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
The entrance is from Via del Corso 305, only a short distance from Piazza Venezia. The closest metro is Colosseo and from here you can catch bus No 85 or 850. Get off where Via del Corso crosses Via dei SS. Apostles. The entrance is on the opposite side of the street.
With your entry fee is an excellent audioguide narrated by Jonathan Pamphilj. He brings Palazzo Doria Pamphilj alive with family anecdotes and background information.
Address
Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
Via del Corso 305
00186 Rome
305, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
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