Borghese or Capitolini
 

Hi, My sister and I are going to Rome for the first time in October. We have to make a decision on which "musei" we visit as we dont want to rush through either. Which one would you recommend. Of course I know they are both wonderful but we can only visit one...can anybody help..

Borghese!

Why can you only visit one?

time restrictions im afraid sera

Another vote for Galleria Borghese.

It has a Web site that will tell you how to reserve.

Borghese, and definitely reserve through their website. It's very easy to do and will save you time and headaches.

Buon Viaggio,
BC

I'd say it depends on whether you are more interested in art of the late Renaissance through the Baroque periods, or the arts and civilization of ancient Rome. Both museums have magnificent collections.

Hi Pausanias
thats the trouble I am intrested in both, as I live in Ireland I will have and opportunity of returning again early next year but my sister has to travel from NY and neither of us can make a decision as I said I dont want to rush either

I adore both of these museums,and I would say the decision may be decided based on your existing itinerary.The Capitoline museums can easily be seen on the same day as the Forum, Colosseo.

The Borghese is gorgeous,for sure,but for me is a little off the beaten path. It's a lovely spot,but requires a bit more time in the schedule.They both house wonderful collections,whichever doesn't make the cut this time,put it on the top of the list for the next trip and add the Palazzo Altemps near Piazza Navona!((f))

Thanks massagediva, I think i am leaning towards Capitolini as our hotel is in the area.

Borghese is well worth the time to go there. Unforgetable Bernini's. After all, Bernini IS present day Rome.

you are going again early next year?

Let me add a vote for the Borghese. The Bernini's there are amazing. I'd only say the Capitolini if you like Roman sculpture a lot more than Renaissance.

Plus, if you are going to the Vatican Musuem, I seem to remember lots of Roman sculpture, but not nearly as much Renaissance sculpture.

If you're rally leaning towards the Capitoline Museums, I say go for it. Not that the Borghese isn't fabulous. But so are the Capitolini, unless you're averse to ancient sculpture or tend to view it as all interchangeable. Plus, the architectural ensemble with the Michelangelo-designed piazza is quite wonderful.

But here's another consideration: the Borghese will take a lot less time. In fact, you won't have time to see all of the Capitolini, which is really a complex of several museums, including a painting gallery (which has a famous Caravaggio, if you need a sop for those who tell you you can't pass up the Baroque!).

You could flip a coin.

Are you aware that you're only allowed approximately 2 hours to tour the Borghese? Wish I could say this isn't "rushed," but we had to hurry through the last couple of galleries/rooms after the closing announcement was made.

Thanks Jean, I was unaware of this.

I recommand Musei Vaticani. There is a lot of visitors but it's worth it.

Let me add my 2 cents. We went to both museums and much prefer the Borghese. It is out of the way but afterwards you can walk through the garden to the magnificent Piazza di Popolo (sp).
The Borghese is a small museum and won't bowl you with a lot of stuff, and what they have is world class and will keep your attention through out your time there.
We went through it - hitting every exhibit - and had enough time left to go back through again. (well I hit the cafe-which was very good)

The Borghese gives you plenty bang for the buck! And if you have time constraints, it would be the one I recommend.

Greg

Funny, but I actually preferred the Capitolini. Maybe I was just "museumed out" by the time we got to Borghese, but the whole experience of Capitol Hill, with Michelangelo's wonderful Renaissance Square and stairway, was great. We did not spend a LOT of time in either museum though.

Thank you all for your suggestions, i think we might decide on the Borghese. Greg can i ask you if you felt like you were rushed at any stage, it seems like you had plenty time. but Janes comments have worried me... Whatever the outcome I dont think we will be disapointed .... It isnt every day you get to choose between two magnificent Musems.......

MUSEUMS, Pardon me.

Clarice;
Happy to help. To be honest I did not really understand her comment. It is a small villa with exhibits on 2 floors. So there was no rush to see ALL of the exhibits

I am not an art nut, but the person I was with is. So she went back and left me in the cafe for 2 cups of coffee and a sandwich. All this was done with PLENTY of time to spare. Maybe Jane needed more time to soak up the masterpieces.

I think the Borghese is the perfect museum. It is not endless like the Vatican Museum and the art is GREAT (even for a slob like me).

By the way we are going back to Rome this October and the Bor. Gallery is one place we will see again. We are not going back to the Capitoloni.

Greg

By the way we went early.

Galleria Borghese has more current art work. The Capotiline has more ancient. While I liked both, I vote for Borghese. Also, you can make reservations at both to speed things up.

The Borghese is spectacular for it's Bernini sculptures and the Caravaggio paintings..and we have been there 5 times, and will surely return.
However, the Capitoline museums offer so much more for someone with limited time simply because of it's location. The Campodoglio, the incredible view of the forum, the rooftop terrace cafe with the view over Rome and, of course, the museums themselves give you so much more history, art and architecture than the fabulous Borghese, this would definitely be my choice.

There is no rush to get through Borghese Gallery. You have two hours and can easily go through twice in that time span unless you end up ogleing the Bernini's endlessly, which isn't that hard to do.

Make sure you see the copy of Leonardo's Leda and the Swan on the second floor. A nice copy of the masterpiece that is since lost. Also note Bernini's The Rape of Proserpina. The way Pluto's fingers dig into her thigh is one of the most stunning pieces of artwork I have seen in my life.

Hi All, thanks again for all this info.

Greg, I am a lover of all things beautiful rather than anything and your information on the Borghese has probably made it a definate visit for us. I really want to see the Bernini's and I have heard its a very intimate museum. Thanks again.

OpusX .. I felt the same way when I saw the Rape of The Sabine Women in Florence.... amazing.

To be honest,this is a bit ridiculous-they are both world class museums,you'll be impressed by either and need to see which every one your don't see this go round.That's the bitersweet pain of Rome-the more you see,the more you'll need to see.I spent a month in Rome this winter trying to see everything I hadn't been able to see on my previous three trips. It's impossible!There's always more.

bittersweet,not bitersweet!((f))

Borghese gets my vote. If you need another "shot" of Bernini, try to get to Santa Maria della Vittoria-exquisite imho.

D'accordo, Messagediva. (Meaning I couldn't agree more.) Like I said, flip a coin -- you can't lose.

Sorry about the typo, mAssagediva.

Borghese! It was wonderful.

On my last two trips I went to the Borghese and the last time also visited the Capitoline. Agree that it's best to reserve the Borghese online, very easy.

One thing that I don't think anyone mentioned yet is that if you rent the audioguide at the Capitoline, it has to be returned in three hours, so that is one way to see the highlights and combine it with seeing the Colosseum and Forum. Easily possible to spend all day at these three sites (and the Palatine) though. It's a way to ensure that I keep going back....

Whatever you decide I would recommend at least visiting the Campodoglio - it's one of my favorite spaces in Rome. It's also possible to visit the cafe without visiting the museum.

i suppose you are right messagediva, how can anyone choose...I will have to return again and again and again...I do not have a problem with that!! All the people I have spoken to, who have visited Rome have spoken of their MANY trips to the city. It seems to have a strange effect on people .... a WONDERFUL effect ..... what is that??? I shall find out in October!

Since others didn't feel rushed at the Borghese, I thought I'd relate our experience.

Paying for our tickets, checking our coats, etc., and renting audio guides was quite chaotic, even though we split the tasks. We arrived early (probably 20 minutes) but could have used even more time and perhaps entered the galleries a few minutes after the hour. Because everyone starts at essentially the same time, the early galleries were very crowded. When the public address announcement was made that the galleries would close in 10 minutes, we probably had 15 minutes left on the guides.

We did spend a few minutes along the way looking at the more spectacular works, but I would say for the most part we were constantly moving. We've told friends about our experience, and they thanked us for the heads-up about the 2-hour limit.

jean - thanks again for that info I will check that out before I leave.

Thanks everyone for your input - My intention never was to compare the two - I just wanted people to share their experiences

Thanks again, now im off the Beara Peninusla, South West Ireland.....Goodbye

clarice;
Glad to help. You really can't go wrong with either museum. The biggest return on your limited time (IMHO) would be the Bor. Gallery.

Aside from the Gallery, take a walk in the garden surrounding the Gallery. Also, there is an Etruscan museum near the villa. I think the Piazza di Popolo (sp) and the Spanish steps are with in walking distance of the Galley so you have plenty of options after leaving the Gallery……

Greg