Museums and Italy can almost seem synonymous, at times, and, certainly, if you have plans to visit Italy, you'll pencil a couple in to your itinerary. There are so many to choose from, however, that you might find it hard to pick some out. To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the best and must-see museums throughout the country. If you end up near any of these, you have no excuse to skip them!
1. Vatican Museums
If you have found a vacation rental in Rome, this is a definite must-see attraction. It consistently tops the lists of best and most-visited museums in Italy and for good reason. The Vatican Museums, make for the largest exhibition space in the world with over 1400 rooms dedicated to Renaissance arts, Catholic Church history, as well as some interesting Etruscan and Egyptian collections. The 100 galleries that constitute the museums are loaded with papal treasures that were accumulated over the centuries and include the Sistine Chapel, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures like the “Laocoön” and “Belvedere Apollo,” and the frescoed “Stanze” by Raphael.
1. Vatican Museums
If you have found a vacation rental in Rome, this is a definite must-see attraction. It consistently tops the lists of best and most-visited museums in Italy and for good reason. The Vatican Museums, make for the largest exhibition space in the world with over 1400 rooms dedicated to Renaissance arts, Catholic Church history, as well as some interesting Etruscan and Egyptian collections. The 100 galleries that constitute the museums are loaded with papal treasures that were accumulated over the centuries and include the Sistine Chapel, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures like the “Laocoön” and “Belvedere Apollo,” and the frescoed “Stanze” by Raphael.
This immense collection rewards repeated visits and there will always be things you didn't notice or get to see. With several tour options, there is something for everyone.
2. Uffizi
The Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and the world. Originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560, the name comes from the Italian word for “offices”, the planned purpose for the building but it came to be used as a gallery. In 1765, it was officially opened to public access. Today, there are 45 rooms open to the public and one can take guided tours throughout these spaces. Though primarily known for its display of largely Renaissance art by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giotto, Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and Rembrandt, you can also see the work of scientists like Galilei and writers like Dante Alighieri. Few museums house such an impressive selection of works by so many of the world's most famous artists so find a luxury villa in Florence and drop by!
2. Uffizi
The Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and the world. Originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560, the name comes from the Italian word for “offices”, the planned purpose for the building but it came to be used as a gallery. In 1765, it was officially opened to public access. Today, there are 45 rooms open to the public and one can take guided tours throughout these spaces. Though primarily known for its display of largely Renaissance art by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giotto, Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and Rembrandt, you can also see the work of scientists like Galilei and writers like Dante Alighieri. Few museums house such an impressive selection of works by so many of the world's most famous artists so find a luxury villa in Florence and drop by!
3. Borghese
Another Roman gem is the Galleria Borghese, an art gallery housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. Built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, it was a villa suburbana, a party villa at the edge of Rome, for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V (reign 1605–1621). Borghese was a passionate patron of the arts and collector and was even involved in the designing of the villa. The Galleria Borghese today is a public art gallery that houses a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities and, in particular, is home to a rich collection of works by Caravaggio and Bernini. Other important artists represented by the collection include Titian, Raphael and Rubens, among others.
Of course, these are just three of the endless museums in Italy, for more of the best among them, read on to the next posts in this series.
Another Roman gem is the Galleria Borghese, an art gallery housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. Built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, it was a villa suburbana, a party villa at the edge of Rome, for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V (reign 1605–1621). Borghese was a passionate patron of the arts and collector and was even involved in the designing of the villa. The Galleria Borghese today is a public art gallery that houses a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities and, in particular, is home to a rich collection of works by Caravaggio and Bernini. Other important artists represented by the collection include Titian, Raphael and Rubens, among others.
Of course, these are just three of the endless museums in Italy, for more of the best among them, read on to the next posts in this series.