Galleria Doria Pamphilj (Doria Pamphilj Gallery), Rome (must see)

The Doria Pamphilj Gallery is a prestigious private art collection housed in the historic Doria Pamphilj Palace. While the Vatican Museums hold global fame and are highly popular, this impressive palace offers one of the most captivating and rewarding artistic experiences in Rome.

Still owned by the princely Doria Pamphilj family, the palace was constructed in 1505 by a Catholic cardinal. It later came under the ownership of another cardinal, whose niece, in turn, married Camillo Pamphilj, nephew of Pope Innocent X.

The collection was significantly enriched by the Pope, who bequeathed artistic treasures to his nephew. Its highlights include Diego Velázquez's Portrait of Innocent X which captures the Pope’s controversial character with striking realism. This celebrated painting is housed in a dedicated room with a bust of the Pope created by Italian sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

The collection, amassed over centuries by the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families, features masterpieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with a focus on the 16th and 17th centuries. The palace's stately rooms feature vaulted ceilings and exquisite decorations, showcasing a vast array of Medieval and Byzantine art. One wing houses the Aldobrandini Gallery, which displays an eclectic mix of paintings and garden statues.

The palace itself has evolved over time. In the 17th century, Camillo Pamphilj and his wife Olimpia Borghese expanded it substantially, despite local opposition. Its renovations continued under the supervision of Camillo’s descendants, including Anna Pamphilj and her husband. In the 18th century, frescoes by renowned Italian artists adorned the staterooms.

In the 20th century, Princess Orietta Pogson Doria Pamphilj and her English husband, Commander Frank Pogson, restored the gallery and opened it to the public. Today, her adopted children, Jonathan and Gesine Doria Pamphilj, oversee its care. The collection, one of the largest private art troves in Rome, remains a testament to the family’s legacy.

The Doria Pamphilj Palace offers a serene visit with its Gallery of Mirrors, featuring French-imported mirrors and Hercules-themed frescoes tied to the Pamphilj lineage. The Primitives Room displays wooden-panel paintings. Visitors can enjoy a free audio guide, numbered exhibits, a relaxing cafeteria, and a bookshop, avoiding Rome's typical tourist crowds.

Tip:
For personal (non-commercial) use, you can acquire a 'Photo Pass' from the bookshop, allowing you to capture memories of your visit.