The Best-Known Private Art Gallery In Rome Is This Exceptional Palace With Unforgettable Architecture

Rome's antiquated charm makes it feel as if you're stepping into an open-air museum. The city is one of the best places to kick off your Italian vacation, as a short walk around town will take you on an adventure near impressive landmarks. You'll pass by spots many only dream of seeing, like the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain — which are places you should visit if you only have one day in the Italian capital. There are also plenty of centuries-old palaces that house some incredible artwork, including the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. The family palace housed members of the same bloodline as the former head of the Roman Catholic Church, Giovanni Battista Pamphilj, known as Pope Innocent X.

Inside the 17th-century old estate is an art gallery that displays some of the world's most famous Roman artists' masterpieces. Along the royal walls of the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, you'll find works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Spanish painter, Diego Velázquez.

It's no secret Rome attracts a global crowd, and even though this palace is one of the best-known private galleries in the city, it has stayed under the radar. If you're looking for a great escape from squeezing past hundreds of people visiting the Eternal City, this could be your little slice of paradise.

When the palace was acquired by the Pamphilj family in 1644, art had a big influence on Italy. Pope Innocent X, the first in the Pamphilj lineage to reside in the mansion, started the private gallery. This period was during the Renaissance era when many artists made a name for themselves, including Diego Velázquez. The museum includes one of Velázquez's most famous works, a portrait of the former Pope. There are also scenic works, like Guido Reni's "A Fight Between Putti and Amorini" and Caravaggio's "The Rest On The Flight Into Egypt." These masterful works of art and countless others show visitors the regal, Baroque styles painters used during this time, many of them using oil on canvas or a wood panel.

Now, the magnificent estate exhibits over 400 paintings. With pieces dating as far back as the 15th and 18th centuries, there are even documents showing that their original placement has never been re-arranged. The works are lined from floor to ceiling, so you might want to spend extra time exploring the inside. Aside from the paintings, you'll also find marble statues and gold-framed mirrors that accent the room and make it look larger. If you'd like to learn more about the palace's history in each room, you can get a radio that will provide you with a guided listening tour. The estate has so much to offer inside and outside, and the palace's architectural make-up complements the famous masterpieces on the walls.

The Galleria Doria Pamphilj Palace will transport you back in time and immerse you into the world of prestige. The detailed decoration on the walls, the gold-accented crown moldings, and the painted ceilings are a showstopper in and of itself. One room even has red velvet detailing which luxuriously elevates the space. The Baroque-style exterior and interior show the stature of those who have lived there and still do. The maintenance of the centuries-old building amplifies the notion that this place was not only monumental in the 17th century but still serves a historical purpose today.

Located in a 450-acre public park, the massive residence has a plaza in the middle that has become a space for visitors to gather around and enjoy the landscaped shrubbery. People can walk around antiquated columns and check out the porthole windows where you can see glitzy chandeliers glowing from the inside.

The exhibition is more than just a gallery. It is home to a two-room chapel for meditation and prayer. In this wing of the residence, you'll find religious heirlooms. Some of the floors even have private apartments currently occupied by members of the Pamphilj lineage. The decor looks similar to the rest of the interior with velvet walls, spectacular chandeliers, and throne-like furniture. Tickets cost under $20 and you can purchase them on-site at the box office. For a similar experience, visit Colonna Palace in the heart of Rome to witness breathtaking art.