An essential guide for parents planning a visit to the Borghese Gallery with kids: must see masterpieces, their stories, and practical tips to make this museum visit a success for all ages.
The Borghese Gallery is one of the most beautiful and significant art museums in Rome.
Founded by nobleman Scipione Borghese in the XVII century, the gallery preserves his art collection and includes paintings and sculptures by masters such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, Bernini and Canova, among others.
The Borghese Gallery is not a museum for kids as such. However, it is easy to enjoy it with children, especially of primary school age and up.
Wile the museum is traditional in kind and doesn’t allow touching of the pieces, the size of it and the nature of some of its artworks make it enjoyable for children.
I have visited the Borghese Gallery with my kids recently.
Since I had been before several times, I knew what pieces they were more likely to enjoy, read about their stories and created a short of dyi kids’ tour of the Borghese Gallery for them.
Today, I am sharing this work with you!
Of course, a simple museum guide such as this one cannot compete with a live tour with an art historian.
However, for families with no art history background and a desire to explore in their own time, it can be useful!
I hope you enjoy it!
Don’t forget! You can find on Amazon my practical guide to visiting Rome with kids, full of practical tips and scavenger hunt trails for kids to make Rome fun for all ages! Find it here >>> Best of Rome with kids (Amazon Ebook)<<<
See also:
How to book tickets to the Borghese Gallery in Rome
How to visit the Borghese Gallery: tickets, opening hours, transport, etc
Gallery official ticket website
A kids’ guide to the top things to see in the Borghese Gallery in Rome
The Borghese Gallery develops over several floors.
There is no standard path to visit the gallery and, depending on the time of access, the staff may direct you to one of the floors first.
This will not affect your visit.
What to see in the Borghese Gallery for kids: the animals
Before we dive into my list of the best things to see in the Borghese Gallery for kids, I want to draw you attention to a fun fact: the Borghese gallery is full of images of animals!
The animals appear in many of the statues/ paintings but also in the frescoes and carvings of the rooms containing them.
When visiting with kids, an easy way to get them entertained and busy is to tell them to spot the animals in the room: they will find at least one in each (very few exceptions, like passageways).
Best sculptures to see in the Borghese Gallery for kids
Need to know: I have included the pieces that, in my personal experience, have piqued the interest of kids. I have chosen them based on the art significance of the piece, its popularity and the story/legend behind it and have limited the pieces chosen to a number that worked well with our primary school kids. Some of the stories can be disturbing, like many myths. I have tried to express them in the least possible disturbing way: you may want to have a read first, to see if and how to best frame them for your kids or skip some entirely.
The Taking if Proserpina (the R@pe of Proserpina) by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Author: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Year: 1621-1622
- Material: marble
- Room: Sala degli Imperatori
The Taking of Proserpina is a famous sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who made it in years 1621-1622.
The sculpture is marble and represent a moment for the myth of the Taking of Proserpina by hand of Pluto, God of the Underworld.
Their story goes like this:
One day, Underworld God Pluto (Hades, for the Greeks) was traveling over Sicily, when he was suddenly hit by an arrow thrown by Cupid, the young god of love.
Cupid’s arrows had the power to get anyone to fall in love instantly and indeed, Pluto immediately fell head over heels in love with a young girl who was picking flowers in a forest nearby.
Her name was Proserpina, and she was the daughter of the Goddess of Harvest Ceres.
Unable to control his passion, Hades grabbed Proserpina and quickly brough her with him to his underworld home to make her his wife.
The disappearance of the girl didn’t go unnoticed: desperate to find her, Ceres does all it is in her power to find her and finally discovers she is hidden underground, in the World of the Dead, over which Pluto governs.
Not even a Godess can take someone back from the underworlds; however, Ceres manages to strike a deal with Pluto.
For six months of the year, Proserpina will be with her mother. For the other six months, she will have to stay with her her new underworld home.
The six months when Proserpina is with her mother coincide with spring: this is when the Goddess of Harvest is happy, nature blooms and life on earth starts again.
The six months with Pluto are the winter: a time when the earth holds Proserpina like it does with seeds, as they wait to sprout again at the start of the new season.
In this depiction of the myth, Bernini focuses on the moment of the taking. Makes sure you notice:
- The 3 headed dog, Cerberus, who tells us the identity of the God (Cerberus is the infernal dog of Pluto’s)
- The softness of the flesh on Proserpina’s leg, which Bernini managed to express even through a hard material such as marble
- The fact that you need to walk around the statue to see it in its entirety. Bernini wanted his spectators to have to engage with his work and built the statue so that you cannot be passive and just stare at it, but have to interact with it from all angles.
See also: where to see Bernini’s work in Rome
Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Author: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Year: 1619
- Material: marble
- Room: Sala di Enea e Anchise
This statue of Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius represents a moment from the story of the War of Troy, precisely the time when Trojan Hero Aeneas leaves the city after its defeat.
You may recall the events that lead to this moment. However, just in case, here is a very quick refresher!
One day, the Olympus was celebrating the wedding of Peleus and Thetis.
Bride and groom had invited many dieties to they banquet; however, the had excluded one: Eris, the Goddess of Discord.
Enraged by this act, Eris decided to do what she did best and made sure disagreement and fights would ensue.
To do this, she took a golden apple, carved upon it the words ‘to the most beautiful’ and threw it on the banquet table: very quickly the three most beautiful Goddesses started arguing, claiming their were the most beautiful and should therefore keep the apple.
Too stop the fight, they appointed a young prince, Paris, to decide the winner and each Goddess promises him rewards, trying to sway him in their favour.
Paris is a young guy and ends up deciding in favour of Aphrodites, Goddess of Love, who promised him the love of the most beautiful woman I the world, Helen.
Indeed, Helen fell in love with him but not without consequences!
Helen was married and when she ran away with Paris to his home city of Troy, her husband Menelaus reacted by gathering all the Greek’s armies and moved war against it.
The war lasted 10 years and was eventually won by the Greeks thanks to a trick concocted by Greek hero Ulysses.
Ulysses convinced the Greeks to build a large wooden horse with a hollow belly so big, that all the warriors could hide into it.
The horse would be left outside the gates of Troy so the Trojans would think it was a peace offering and let it into the gates. At night, the everywhthing was quiet, the Greeks would jump out and attack the city from within.
The plan worked as expected: as Troy burned, its citizens escaped, carrying with them what they could.
One of them was Aeneas, who escaped with his elderly father Anchises on his shoulder, his young son Ascanius, and the Gods of its home, the Lates and Penates.
Bernini focused his attention on the moment of their escapes. In the sculpture, make sure you notice:
- Little Ascanius, following his dad
- The long bear of Anchises, telling us he is an old man,
- The Lares and Penates, which he carries on his shoulder
- The position of Aeneas who, a little like Pluto and Proserpina, has a sideway stance, forcing you to change position to admire the entirety of the statues.
Good to know: do you remember where Aeneas escaped to? He escapes to Italy! He founded a new city on what is now Italy and his successors in historical times include Romulus and Remo, the twins of the foundation of Rome! You can read here >>> Rome’s most famous myths and legends
As well as a representation of mythological events, the statue is also a symbolic representation of the three ages of the men: childhood, adulthood, elderly years.
David by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The statue of David is one of the most famous in the gallery and is one more masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the same artist who sculpted The taking of Proserpina, Aeneas an Anchises and Apollo and Daphne (see below).
- Author: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Year: 1623-1624
- Material: marble
- Room: Sala del Davide
The sculpture represent a moment taken from the Biblical story of David and Goliath.
The story, told in the Bibles, goes more or less like this.
The people of Israel, under kind Saul, were at war with the Philistine, an army who had among their ranks a special weapon a giant called Goliath.
Goliath was immense: his descrption talks about a height of six cubits and a span’ (9.75ft, or 2.9 meters), entirely covered in an armor of heavy bronze.
One day, this giant challenged the Israeli army to one last battle: one man from each army would go into combat, alone, and whoever won would be the winner of teh entire war. of touches, in their cases, the man to beat was himself.
The task was meant to be impossible but a young shepherd, David, took it on.
One morning, he faced the giant on the battleground. Only equipped with stones, sling and confidence in his God, took good aim and hit him right in the forehead, killing him instantly.
The story of David is told as an example of the power of ingenuity and faith.
In this instance, Bernini focuses on the moment when David takes aim, his face focussed on the task on hand and his muscles tight and ready for action.
Notice the natural expression on his face, and the detail of the his lip, which he bites in concentration. This is maybe the most famous detail in this stunning sculpture!
Good to know: the story of David says that, after the killing, he chopped off the head of the giant. Look around the room and you will see at least one painting depicting this later part of the story! This painting is by Giovanni Caracciolo, also known as Battistello. Take notice of this painting and make sure to remember this story as there is at least one more famous painting depicting this very same moment, in the gallery!
Apollo and Daphne by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Author: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Year: 1623-1624
- Material: marble
- Room: Sala di Apollo e Dafne
The statue of Apollo and Daphne is one more statue by Bernini, representing a mythological story: that of Daphne and her transformation into a laurel tree.
The story goes like this.
One day, God Apollo, was teasing Cupid, suggesting the young god didn’t have great stories of bravery in his name, unlike Apollo himself.
Cupid, enraged, plots revenge.
Using his power to make people (and Gods!) fall in love at his will, he envelops Apollo in a magical wind, so that he falls in love with a young nimph called Daphne.
He also, however, used his power to make sure Daphne would not fall for him, so that the God would experience the pain of rejection.
Overtaken by love for Daphne, Apollo doesn’t accept her refusal and starts chasing her in the wood to make her his bride, while Daphne runs as fast as she can to avoid him.
Desperate to escape from the God, Daphne pleads the Gods to save her and to take away her appearance, so that the God would stop wanting her.
To grant her wish, the Gods transform her into a Laurel tree: this moment of transformation is the one chosen by Bernini for his statue.
The moment following this one, according to poet Ovid, sees Apollo hugging the tree and telling Daphne he’ll forever cherish the laurel as a tree sacred to him. The poet also reports the laurel moved her head as if to agree to this agreement.
Paolina Borghese as Venus by Antonio Canova
The statue of Paolina Borghese is one of the most famous statues in the Borghese Gallery and is an artwork by famous master Antonio Canova.
- Author: Antonio Canova
- Year: 1804-1808
- Material: Marble
- Room: Sala della Paolina
The statue of Paolina Borghese looks like a classical Goddess but is a representation of a real person: Paolina Borghese.
Paolina was the sister of Napoleon so her minder name was Paolina Bonaparte: in 1803, in Paris, she married Roman noblemen Camillo Borghese and took his surname, becoming officially Paolina Borghese.
Her statue was a present from Camillo to her.
Following a style popular at the time, he commissioned a statue depicting her in the shape of an ancient Goddess to one of the biggest and most influential assists of the time, Antonio Canova, who turns this task into the opportunity to create what would become one of his most famous masterpieces.
In this statue, Paulina is represented in the form of Venus.
In her hand, she holds and apple, representing the golden apple ‘to the most beautiful’ that sparked the War on Troy (see above).
Fun fact: To make it easy for the observer to see the statue in all its parts, Canova created a mechanism under it that allowed it to rotate. The mechanism still exists (the statue however does not move in the gallery, you won’t see it in action).
Goat Amaltea by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Author: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Year: before 1615
- Material: marble
- Room: Loggia di Lanfranco
An interesting sculpture kids usually enjoy at the Borghese Gallery is the one of Goat Amaltea.
Her story foes like this.
The Titan Chronos had taken power over the Universe: however, he lived in fear that one of his children would take power from him and to prevent this from happening, he would eat them all up as soon as born.
His wife, however, managed to save one from him: when Zeus, the last of their children, was born, she wrapped his baby blanket around a large stone and fed that to Chronos instead of the baby.
She then hid Zeus in Crete, where he grew up thanks to goat Amaltea who nursed him.
Once grown up, indeed Zeus took power from Chronos and became the God of the Sky and Earth. He even managed to free up his bothers and sisters by feeding Chronos poison, who made his throw them back up!
With this small sculpture, Bernini pays homage to Amaltea showing her, baby Zeus, a small Faun and a cornucopia, symbol of abundance and prosperity.
Most famous paintings in the Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery has wonderful paintings and while most of them are harder for kids to enjoy the statues with their mythological sorties, I believe they are a must see when visiting the Borghese Gallery with kids or without.
Of the many, I believe the must see painting sin the Borghese gallery are the following.
Bacchino Malato by Caravaggio
- Author: M, Merisi known as Caravaggio
- Date: 1595 circa
- Technique: oil on canvas
- Room: Sala del Sileno
Bacchino Malato or Sick Bacchus as known in English is an oil on canvas painting by Michelangelo Merisi, also known as Caravaggio.
The painting is a self portrait and shows the painter as a young man dressed as the God Bacchus, with its typical ornaments of vines and grapes.
The boy has a distinctive sickly, green-ish appearance, hence the name of the painting, and the painting seems to recall a time when Caravaggio has an extended stay at the Hospital ‘Ospedale della Consolazione’ in Rome.
See also: where to see Caravaggio in Rome.
Giovane con canestro di frutta by Caravaggio (Young boy with fruit basket)
- Author: M, Merisi known as Caravaggio
- Date: 1595 circa
- Technique: oil on canvas
- Room: Sala del Sileno
Giovane con Canestro di rutta is another important painting by Caravaggio, representing a young person with a large basket filled with autumnal fruit.
The painting is considered a great example of realism in the representation of nature: the fruits and leaves are painted to be as close to the real things as possible, with all the imperfections real fruit has.
Art interpreters are divided over the interpretation of the paining: some think it represents the passing of time, the wilting fruit being a memento of the passing of youth.
Madonna dei Palafrenieri by Caravaggio
- Author: M, Merisi known as Caravaggio
- Date: 1605
- Technique: oil on canvas
- Room: Sala del Sileno
Madonna dei Palafrenieri is one of the most famous Caravaggio paintings and a controversial one.
The canvas represents Mary holding a toddler Jesus, stepping onto a Serpent, under the watchful eye on St Anne.
The painting represents the triumph of faith (The Virgin mother and the child) over evil (the snake) however, it seems to have sparked controversy at the time.
The complaints about it where the ample décolleté of the mother and the age of the child, considered too old to be shown with no clothing.
The painting was originally destined to be in church but, possibly because of these considerations, quickly went into the hands of Scipione Borghese, avid art collector.
San Girolamo by Caravaggio
- Author: M, Merisi known as Caravaggio
- Year: 1606
- Technique: oil on canvas
- Room: Sala del Sileno
This painting represent St Jerome (San Girolamo) as an old men, intent in studying the Scriptures.
The painting is famous for its use of color and art historians highlight how the image seems divided into two parts: one in warm colors (the red of the drape, with a living figure) and one with cold ones (the white cloth with the skull), representing respectively life and death.
Despite the masterful use of light, art critics have noticed parts of the paint seems applied in a hurry, which led them to believe the painting may have been left unfinished.
David with the head of Goliath
- Author: M. Merisi kown as Caravaggio
- Year: 1606-07 o 1609-1610
- Technique: oil on canvas
- Room: Sala del Sileno
the painting David with the head of Goliath is a recurring theme in art in genera and in the Borghese collection in particular. IN the lager there are at least three representation of this Biblical story, both in sculpture and painted form!
In this one by Caravaggio, David is represented as a young men holding the colossal head of Goliath in his hand, after his success over the giant.
The full story goes more or less like this (this is the same as above, if you’ve seen Bernini’s David first).
The people of Israel, under kind Saul, were at war with the Philistine, an army who had among their ranks a special weapon a giant called Goliath.
Goliath was immense: his descrption talks about a height of six cubits and a span’ (9.75ft, or 2.9 meters), entirely covered in an armor of heavy bronze.
One day, this giant challenged the Israeli army to one last battle: one man from each army would go into combat, alone, and whoever won would be the winner of teh entire war. of touches, in their cases, the man to beat was himself.
The task was meant to be impossible but a young shepherd, David, took it on.
One morning, he faced the giant on the battleground. Only equipped with stones, sling and confidence in his God, took good aim and hit him right in the forehead, killing him instantly.
One very interesting element of this painting is the representation of Goliath, with is a self portrait of Caravaggio itself.
Caravaggio lived a turbulent life and often got in trouble with the law for getting into fights. One of these fights got so bad he killed his adversary and ended up having to flee Rome, to escape a death sentence.
For years, while on the run, he tried to gain a pardon and it is believed that representing himself as a regretful sinner (like Goliath) was part an acknowledgement of his wrongdoing and an attempt to show regret.
It should be noted what while the pardon eventually did arrive, it was too late for him: he died on his way back to Rome in unknown circumstances.
Amor sacro e amor profano by Titian
- Author: V. Titian
- Year: 1515/16
- Technique: Oil on Canvas
- Room: Sala di Psiche
Sacred Love and Profane Love is maybe the most famous of the many paintings but Titian in the Borghese Gallery.
The painting represents the two types of love as two young women leaning agains an elaborately decorated sarcophagus, and with a small cherub.
In the background, Titian painted a luscious landscapes, which seems to highlight the differences between the two women: one is against the backdrop of mountains, the other against a lake scene.
The interpretation of the painting is debated in art history circles: currently, many believe the painting is a representation of the qualities of the good bride.
The painting as such was no interest to my children, but there are bunnies in it so if you have little ones, they can probably get a minute or two to admire the painting while they look for the rabbits!
Dama con Liocorno, by Raphael
The Borghese Gallery has many stunning painting by Raphael and one of the easiest for kids to enjoy it Dama con Liocorno (Dame with Unicorn).
- Author: Raphael
- Year: XVI century (exact year unsure)
- Technique: oil on canvas
- Room: Sala di Didone
A lot is unknown about the painting Lady with Unicorn but art critics believe is was a wedding present, depicting a young bride.
The reason for this interpretation are to be found in the symbols on the pairing itself: the candid skin tone of the girl, the unicorn (symbol of purity) and the necklace if the form of a know, simple of the marriage ties.
The exact date of this painting is unknown however the fashion of the dress seems to suggest it represents a moment happened in the early XVI century (Raphael lived 1483 – Rome 1520)
Practical tips for visiting the Borghese Gallery with kids
Location:
The Borghese Gallery is located inside hte lare Borghese Gardens which are wonderful for kids. Find here >>> our guide to the Borghese Gardens in Rome.
The easiest wat to reach the Borghese Gallery with kids is to get a bus or taxi to the park entrance on Via Poinciana.
The Borghese Gallery exact address is: Piazzale Sciopione Borghese, 1
Tickets:
Borghese Gallery tickets must be bought online. I recommend booking directly from the official museum website with you find here >>> Borghese Gallery Official Site <<<
Tickets to the Borghese Gallery are not always easy to secure. you can find here >>> tips for booking Borghese Gallery tickets.
Strollers:
The Borghese Gallery is not stroller friendly:the official website stated strollers are allowed for kids up to two years of age and indeed you will find some ramps and an elevator.
However, to use the elevator you need to assistance of the staff: I recommend you leave the stroller at the wardrobe (On site) and explore with a soft structured carrier or on foot instead.
Bags and wardrobe:
The Gallery only allows small purses. All others, including normal say day packs, must be left at the wardrobe (on site)
Restrooms:
There are restrooms before the museum entrance and mid way on the staircase connecting the two floors.
During out last visit, a family bathroom was in place yet there was no changing table.
Cafeteria:
There is a cafeteria onsite selling juices, snacks, sandwiches and a some hot dishes. Eating is allowed in the cafe area and outside of the exhibition rooms only.
Museum shop:
The gallery has a museum shop with art books, some children guides to Rome (of varied quality), postcards and gallery inspired souvenirs.
Borghese Gallery with kids: what’s nearby for children
The Borghese Gallery is inside the Borghese Gardens, one of the most beautiful and fun places in Rome for kids.
The park has Rome zoo, several playgrounds, the option to rent bikes, pedal carts, rowing boats and a small tourist train.
You can find her >> my guide to the Borghese Gardens in Rome
I hope you enjoyed this essential guide to the Borghese Gallery with kids and helped you make the most of your visit. Safe travels!