The Delight of Rome 

The Villa Borghese, often referred to as the "delight of Rome", boasts one of the most impressive collections of art ever put together, while Borghese Park is widely considered the most beautiful park in Rome. Among the galleries in the Villa are the celebrated statues "Apollo and Daphne" and the "Pluto e Prosperina" ("Abduction of Prosperina by Pluto"). These two statues, created by perhaps the most talented sculptor of all time, are considered Bernini's masterpieces.

Step into the Borghese Gallery and take in works by Raphael, Rubens, Caravaggio, Canova, Bernini, and Tiziano such as Raphael's Entombment of Christ, Caravaggio's Sick Bacchus, and Titian's Sacred and Profane Love (also known as Venus and the Bride). Titian's Sacred and Profane Love was so renowned that in 1899 the famous Rothschild family, famous family of the international banking and finance industry, offered to buy the painting for 4 million lire, and amount greater than the value of the whole Borghese Gallery itself. The Gallery, which was then priced at 3,600,000 lire, refused the offer.

You will see Canova's famous sculpture Paolina Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix, which caused a stir when it became known that the sister of Napoleon Bonaparte posed nude for this work of art. Your Eyes of Rome tour guide will disclose this and other interesting anecdotes regarding the history of these distinguished pieces.

The Gallery was put together by the Borghese Family, one of the wealthiest and most important families of Rome whose line accounted for several cardinals and Popes. The original works of art there date back to the collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese which consists primarily of Renaissance and Baroque art.

The heavenly Borghese Park is located north of the Spanish Steps, where you will see the most breathtaking view of the city from the top of the hill. It is a popular location for Roman weddings, considered the 'perfect place' for the occassion, and overlooks the Piazza del Popolo. The area was once a vineyard until Cardinal Scipione converted it into a park.

On the park's 148 acres you will see ancient temples, exquisite statues, gushing fountains, and broad, tree-lined lanes. You will also see the Piazza di Siena containing a large amphitheater, the Arco di Settimo Severo from the 18th century, and a majestic botanical garden.
Within the park, also known as the 'Park of Museums', lie the National Gallery of Modern Art, the National Etruscan Museum, and of course the Borghese Museum and Gallery located in the Villa.