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Galleria Colonna

ArchitectureArtHistoryClosed todayFrom €15Cavour (Line B)

The Galleria Colonna is one of Rome's best-kept secrets, partly because it is only open two mornings a week. It is still the private residence of the Colonna family, who have lived here for over twenty generations — since the 13th century — and the gallery they built in the late 1600s is a 70-metre-long barrel of Baroque extravagance. Gilded mirrors, crystal chandeliers, polychrome marble, and a ceiling frescoed with the Battle of Lepanto (the family's proudest moment, when Marcantonio Colonna commanded the papal fleet) create an effect that is somewhere between a museum and a stage set. The art collection is serious: Bronzino, Tintoretto, Guercino, Guido Reni, Salvator Rosa, Vanvitelli, and others line the walls. A cannonball lodged in the gallery's marble staircase since the 1849 siege of Rome has been left in place as a conversation piece. The Princess Isabelle apartments (available on the full route) feel like walking into someone's exceptionally grand living room, which is essentially what they are. What makes it special is the combination of outstanding art, over-the-top Baroque architecture, and the feeling that you are a guest in a private home rather than a visitor to a museum. The Saturday morning English tour at noon is an excellent way to experience it.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

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Address

Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 66, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Nearest station: Cavour (Line B)

Admission

€15

Short route €15. Full route (+ Princess Isabelle apartments) €25. Guided complete route €35. Reduced for over-60s, students, families.

Visitor Information

How much does Galleria Colonna cost?
Standard adult admission to Galleria Colonna is €15. Short route €15. Full route (+ Princess Isabelle apartments) €25. Guided complete route €35. Reduced for over-60s, students, families.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Galleria Colonna?
Galleria Colonna is open Open Friday and Saturday only, 09:00-13:15. Free English guided tour Saturdays at 12:00. Private visits by appointment on other days.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Galleria Colonna?
Galleria Colonna is located at Piazza dei Santi Apostoli 66, 00187 Roma RM, Italy, in the Trevi / Centro Storico area of Rome. The nearest station is Cavour (Line B).
What can I see at Galleria Colonna?
A spectacular private Baroque gallery inside a palace still inhabited by the same family for over 700 years, open only Friday and Saturday mornings.
Do I need to book Galleria Colonna in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Galleria Colonna?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Sailko (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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