Description

Essentials about Palazzo Doria-Pamphili in brief

Located on Via del Corso, not far from Piazza Venezia, Palazzo Doria-Pamphili is the largest and also one of the most magnificent city palaces in Rome. Dating from the 17th century, the palace now houses the Galleria Doria-Pamphili, an art gallery with an exquisite collection of paintings and sculptures.

The history of Palazzo Doria-Pamphili

The history of the Doria-Pamphili is the result of various alliances between noble families from all parts of Italy. From church ownership, the core building of the 15th century passed to the della Rovere family, originating from Liguria, who later sold it to the Florentine Aldobrandini family. In 1760 the male line of the Pamphili became extinct and Anna, the daughter of the house, married a nobleman from the Genoese Doria family. In 1763 Prince Andrea IV. Doria finally united the names of the two houses to Doria Pamphili.

Especially in the 18th century, the palazzo was one of the most important residences in Rome. High dignitaries came and went, the nobility and upper middle classes enjoyed the banquets and concerts, and around the middle of the 19th century it was a quite unusual innovation for Rome’s “better” society that the art treasures of the house were opened to the public.

Even today, the Doria-Pamphili family maintains an open house policy. A section of the palace containing some of the most opulent private apartments is open to the public. The apartments can be accessed through a beautiful courtyard. Inside, the rooms are decorated with paintings, candlesticks, sculptures and magnificent ceiling decorations.

The Galleria Doria Pamphili

The palazzo’s main attraction, however, is the Galleria Doria Pamphili, one of the most extraordinary private art collections in the world, with some 400 works dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. An Italian law of 1871 stipulates that the collection of national importance may not be divided or sold. The beginnings of the collection date back to the time of the pontificate of Innocent X, who was a descendant of the Pamphili clan.

The following masterpieces can be admired in the gallery: Caravaggio’s early works “Magdalena” and “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” three works by Jan Brueghel the Elder, the ceiling fresco “The Deeds of Hercules” by Aureliano Milani, a double portrait by Raphael, Tintoretto’s “Portrait of a Prelate,” Titian’s “Salome with the Head of the Baptist,” and Velázquez’s famous “Portrait of Pope Innocent X,” whose real name was Giovanni Battista Pamphili and who was not very fond of his likeness. He thought it was “troppo vero” (“all too true”).

Website

doriapamphilj.it

Opening hours

Admission fees

Adults: €12.00

Children and young adults (Ages 6 – 26): €8.00

Small children (Ages 5 and under): free

Family ticket (2 adults and 3 children ages 6 – 18): €40.00

For more information on discounts, see the website.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Bus lines 51, 62, 63, 80, 83, 85, 119, 160, 492, C3, n5 and n46: Stop Corso/Ss. Apostoli

By car:

There are no parking garages in the immediate vicinity of Palazzo Doria-Pamphilj.