Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Italy

"This treasure trove of classical and historical artwork has been built up over many centuries by various popes and includes some of the most important pieces of artwork in the world. Located within the confines of the Vatican state, the museums hold over 70,000 pieces of artwork. A dual ticket can be purchased to see both the Sistine Chapel and the museums and it is advised to devote enough time to see both properly."

"The Vatican Museums are the public art and sculpture museums in the Vatican City complex. They're housed in former wings of the Vatican Palace. Much of the work was collected by Pope Julius II, the imperious "warrior" pope who left a staggering legacy."

"It is said that if you stood at each piece for just one minute, it would take you four years to see everything. Created by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the museums have expanded..."

"The Hadrianeum—the circular construction designed and commissioned by the emperor Hadrian in 130 as his personal mausoleum—was completed by Antoninus Pius a year after Hadrian’s death. The adjoining bridge, Pons Aelius, another of the emperor’s projects, was begun in 136. In 270–75, Aurelian incorporated the tomb within the inner city by means of the fortified walls bearing his name."

"I love the Castel at many different times of day, but mid-morning (like the first few pics below), sunset, and nighttime are my favorites. To be fair, I’ve never been there at sunrise, so it could also be amazing then…. Part of what I love about it is how many different angles you have to play with:"

"The collection of the Galleria Borghese, defined as one of the most beautiful collections in the world, consists in sculptures, bas-reliefs, and ancient mosaics, as well as statues and paintings from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. In addition to being exceptional for its splendid collection, the museum is perfect in the coherence of its beautiful ensemble that implies marbles, inlays, mosaics, stuccoes, and inserts of the antique."

"Considered one of the most beautiful small museums in Europe, the Borghese Gallery and Museum is worth a visit even to just admire its interior decor. The fact that it also houses the most valuable collection of Bernini’s early sculptures and Caravaggio’s best paintings just seems like a bonus. The beautiful 17th-century villa used to be the holiday palace of Cardinal Scipione Borghese."

"An art gallery set within the Villa Borghese gardens, Galleria Borghese houses one of Rome’s greatest art collections: the Borghese Collection. Here, visitors can discover classical sculptures by the likes of Bernini and Canova, and ancient artworks by Italian masters such as Raphael and Caravaggio. End the day with a five-minute drive or a 15-minute walk back to the hotel."

"The Museum of Pietro Canonica, or Museo Pietro Canonica, in Villa Borghese is an artist's house museum and one of the best in the country. The museum's collection is largely focused on Pietro Canonica's works, ranging from models to sketches to replicas to marbles to bronzes. The museum is lauded for taking visitors on a complete journey through the artistic process of creating sculpture, from sketching to models to casting and so on."

"Piazza Orazio Giustiniani 4Tues-Sun: 2pm-8pmEntry Fee €4-6mattatoioroma.it. The Mattatoio is a former slaughterhouse with pavilions built as far back as 1888. It is considered one of Rome’s most important industrial buildings and the gallery shares the building with various art and architecture universities."

"Chiostro del Bramante hosts revolving exhibitions of modern art|© REDA and CO srl / Alamy Stock Photo. The Chiostro del Bramante is a culture and arts center, and is set in a stunning example of Renaissance architecture designed by Donato Bramante (1444-1515). It holds spaces that extend below the surface of the cloister which have been completely renovated, and are now ideal for performances and small exhibitions of young artists."

"Chiostro del Bramante hosts revolving exhibitions of modern art|© REDA and CO srl / Alamy Stock Photo. Designed by Donato Bramante, the Chiostro del Bramante is one of the most important works of Renaissance architecture in Rome. Originally the cloisters of the adjacent Santa Maria della Pace church, the elegant space is now home to revolving exhibitions from the world of modern art."

"Commissioned around 1500, Bramante's square cloister is an extraordinary example of High Renaissance architecture, forming part of the complex of the adjoining church of S."

"The Carlo Bilotti Museum, or Museo Carlo Bilotti, is a museum made possible by the donation of Carlo Bilotti, who gifted the city of Rome with 23 pieces from his personal collection. The bulk of the collection includes 18 pieces by Giorgio de Chirico. The museum also showcases work from artists to include Andy Warhol, Gino Severini, and Giacomo Manzu."

"As far as parks with history, you will want to look at this interesting park, Parco Della Caffarella. The area is located near a plethora of historical sites and is an estate that has become an integral part of parks and recreation as a whole. It is a part of the Appia Antica Regional Park and showcases a good mix of visuals, gardens, trees and rest areas for those that want to get a nice, brisk walk in their vacation."

"A post shared by Through Eternity Tours (@througheternitytours) on Apr 26, 2018 at 2:39pm PDT. The rustic and extensive Parco della Caffarella in southern Rome seems lost to time, its serene landscapes drawn straight from the contours of a painting by Nicolas Poussin or Claude Lorraine. An enticing admixture of fascinating classical ruins and pastoral beauty, the Caffarella is located just off the ancient Appian Way."

"Villa Aldobrandini is a hanging garden bounded by the traffic clogged via Nazionale on one side and the residential neighborhood of Monti on the other. Up the stairs and past a headless Roman statue or two you will find a slightly neglected space with lush trees, benches to sit and empty fountains where neighbor dogs play off their leashes. From the viewpoint at the far edge of the garden you can see the wonky Torre delle Milizi that is inside the Trajan Market, two churches; Santi Domenico and Sisto and Santa Caterina in Magnanapoli and the top of the National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II. A few thousand years ago the space below your feet was once used as warehouses for the Trajan market."

"When you’re wandering around the Monti neighborhood after your Colosseum & Roman Forum tour, look for a flight of steps and climb up to the slightly neglected gardens of the Villa Aldobrandini. This hanging garden looks out over Largo Magnanapoli with views of the Quirinale, Trajan’s Markets, and the leaning Torre delle Milizie. Relax with neighborhood dog walkers under the palm trees and remnants of marble statues."

"Situated between the Quirinal Palace, the beginning of Monti neighbourhood, and Trajan’s Market, there is a beautiful garden with views over Rome. Just above Piazza Venezia and near the ruins of Ancient Rome, this quiet secret garden is a green oasis of calm. It's run by the city of Rome and is completely public."

"This Botanical Garden takes its name from the Farnese family, which at the end of the 500 have bought almost the entire surface of the Palatine hill, transforming it into a splendid garden. The Farnese garden or Orti Farnesiani, was the way of affirming the political and institutional position of the noble family. The garden was considered to be the oldest in the western world."