Hi all,
My son, Scott, and I are getting a vague sort of a plan going for our trip to Rome in early March.

Everyone has been very helpful, so again I ask a question - I don't want to 'over museum' Scott so which would you choose? The Capitoline museums or the Borghese museum?

I rather enjoy both, but really like the new presentations of the Capitoline. I guess I have been to the Borghese so many times that I am thinking of it as more static for my tastes, but Scott hasn't seen either.

So, I am looking for input and ideas from everyone on which would be the best choice for a short (10 day)trip to Rome.

Thanks, DMae

Assuming you're not intending to visit any other museums, I would have no hesitation in choosing the Capitoline.
Reasons:
- the location
- the architecture of the buildings and the decoration of the rooms
- the range of what's on display, especially the Roman sculpture
- you have as long as you want to enjoy them, and don't get hurried round like you do at the Borghese.

IMO the Borghese is one of the most beautiful museums in Italy (building and art). I wouldn't miss it.

It's funny, I've been to Rome about 15 times over the past eight years and I've yet to get to the Capitoline museums, but I've been to the Borghese several times. I can't get enough of the sculptures at the Borghese.

One of these days I really need to check out the Capitoline. I think I'm going to go to Rome in February, maybe I should make a point of it then.

I am not a huge art fan, but my husband absolutely loves it. We have been to the Borghese a couple of times and I absolutely loved it. Like others have mentioned, the sculptures are amazing and not to be missed.

Sharon J

I wouldn't want to miss either one. However, if you must choose one and don't want to "over museum" then you might want to choose the Borghese, since the time you're allowed inside is limited. You could easily spend an entire day at the Capitoline.

DMae, how about showing him the websites of both museums, and letting him decide which is of more interest?
Musee Capotolini
Galleria Borghese

I would suggest to book a guided Borghese visit at the beginning of the trip. I believe having a guide pointing to 10-12 most important or interesting pieces and explaining them may adds value over meandering in the museum.

The Capitoline has a totally different scope. Propose the Capitoline because it is special both from the outside (walking around the buildings is interesting in itself because of the diverse views it offers, including Santa Maria in Ara Coeli, the view over the Fori, etc.) and head in the museum maybe starting from the huge hall centred by the statue of Marcus Aurelius. It is a pretty amazing feat of exhibiting. This and a stop at the cafe may be enough.

A very difficult decision but I would have to agree with the Capitoline if you absolutely have to choose. But don't forget that the Borghese is only two hours so why not both?

The Capitoline does show the range of Roman art and history from the Etruscans thru the Roman Empire to the Baroque and beyond. And it certainly has its share of blockbusters to appeal to those who are not necessarily art enthusiasts. The new space with the equestrian sculpture of Marcus Aurelius is just one example.

It's an interesting question, but a bit like asking whether chocolate or vanilla is better. That is, they're both wonderful, and it's a question of interests, tastes, etc. As someone else here said (Amy?), why not have your son look at the websites of both? And if he persists in making YOU choose, then pick the one you like better.

That'll teach'im!

I studied archaeology in college and visiting the Capitoline was just about enough to make me pass out. The stuff I'd seen and discussed the intimate measurements of in books and papers for weeks, all right there.

And the site itself, as others have mentioned, it's practically like seeing everything in situ.
So if he's interested in the ancient world, I can recommend that one.

But I have never actually been to the Borghese, it was closed every time. And the gardens are lovely. Isn't the Borghese more Renaissance? That may influence your choice, which age you both prefer, though there is something of a mix at both, I'm sure.

I don't think you can go wrong.

It depends on the interests of the people involved. ideally do both.

I would put the Capitoline first, because both me and my daughter are antiquities freaks.

With 10 days in Rome, why not do them both? They're not mutually exclusive and visiting both in that time frame will not "over museum" anyone.

Dmae,
Agree with JChrisP. Surely will not be museum overload to experience both, especially since the two are so entirely different in exhibits and overall atmosphere.

Borghese has the gardens, too, plus Jessica as your Context guide if you are lucky. And the time limit may be a good thing. You're just in and out, and that's it. You love it and you vow to return. (Remember the cute guy from Texas on our Borghese tour who was on a whirlwind two-day visit and had sprinted over from the Colosseum? and was so interested in the art? loved that guy, such a happy enthusiast!)

For me, Capitoline is just the ultimate museum of Roman history, took me to another level of consciousness! Spent six hours alone wandering there in June, just astounded. Every exhibit so well displayed and the setting itself ("in situ" as someone said) is so very awe-inspiring.

You can stumble in for lunch in the Capitoline cafe with a lovely terrace overlooking the city. (I devoured an entire pizza, starving from all that walking and gazing in awe).
Also there's a balcony/gallery on a lower level that is THE best place for viewing the Roman Forum.

Would not advise you to allow Scott to leave Roma without partaking in all of that.
Wish I could be there too!

XXOO Betsy

Hah!
I finally got a response out of my son, Scott. He just told me that he is more interested in Renaissance art than ancient art, so we will tour the Borghese museum for sure.

And, thanks to everyone who reminded me that the Borghese is only two hours. That bit of information slipped my mind. So, I do think that at least an abbreviated trip to the Capitoline museums is also in order. I do want him to see the excavations and the new display halls. And, thanks Betsy, for reminding me about the cross over (the ancient library, I think) between the two museums.

So, I have added another plan to our trip. I can't believe that in a couple of months or so the two of us will be there.

DMae

Definitely the Capitoline. It's part of the history and fabric of Rome.


Maureen
www.maureenbfant.com

quote:

he is more interested in Renaissance art

If the difference between Renaissance and Baroque is important to your son, it is worth noting that the Borghese Gallery isn't really the best place to see Renaissance art. The emphasis there is more on Baroque. For Renaissance art the Vatican Museums (the Pinacoteca, the Borgia Apartments, the Nicoline Chapel (if you can get in), the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel) have a much finer display.

Hello DMae & Scott...I am an artist and photographer, I live in Rome 6 months a year, I give photographic tours to clients who come to Rome, and I've been to both museums several times.

I would suggest that you not worry about tiring your son out with museums....it's in museums where all the best art, history, and culture is found in Rome. You need reservations for the Borghese museum but it is something you won't want to miss. You have about 45 minutes to go through the museum, which is time enough since it's small...but it's a jewel. It took 35 years to renovate it. The Capitoline is good, but is "dry" in my opinion, compared to Borghese. There are two sides to the museum - and you can do both in less than 1.5 hours.

So, 2.5 hours of museums is not alot to ask anyone, since they are two of the best in Italy.

BUT!!!!! if you REALLY want to see art and history, go to the Vatican Museum and expect to spend at least 3 hours there or more....plus you get to see the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo....a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

....and I'd recommend eating at the Antica Taverna Trattoria (Via Monte Giordano, 12) behind Piazza Navona....ask for Paolo or Giovanni and tell them Tony Boccaccio from Imaging in Italy sent you...he'll give you a real treat and the best Roman food in the city! Not expensive...but REALLY fantastic. I've been eating there for 14 years. My favorite place.

Have fun.

Regards,
Tony Boccaccio
Director

Imaging In Italy

quote:

Originally posted by DMae:
... trip to Rome in early March...
... The Capitoline museums or the Borghese museum?

.Thanks, DMae

We will be in Rome in early March too and this will be our 11th or 12th trip to Rome.

I rarely miss a chance to go to the Borghese, even if it's just to stare in wonder at the sculptures and revisit the Caravaggios for an hour or so. I make a reservation every time before we leave home and am always happy I did.

However, a visit to the Capitoline Museums is also a must. The walk up the stairs to the Campidoglio, the view over the Forum, a stop for a snack atop the museum for a wonderful view of some of the rooftops and domes of Rome, are all available without a reservation or price of a ticket.
But to go into the Museums and see the Dying Gaul and some of the wonderful pieces of ancient Roman art~well, IMO it's simply not to be missed.

Impossible choice. Like vanilla and chocolate, as Marian said. But if I HAD to pick one, and thank heavens I don't, I'd go for the Capitoline, for all the reasons that Debra mentioned. It feels to me to be more a part of the fabric of Rome. But I love the Borghese as well...
Yrs, Robert

I suggest absolutely Capitoline, no crowds, no line, location, arhitect of the buildings (Michelangelo) and Romans everywhere! It's so fascinating. I consider them "easier" than Borgese Gallery!

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Boccaccio:
Hello DMae & Scott...I am an artist and photographer, I live in Rome 6 months a year, I give photographic tours to clients who come to Rome, and I've been to both museums several times.

Borghese doesn't allow photos does it?

Does it rotate collections? Seemed very small and I thought one trip was enough so I wasn't planning on seeing it again this April.

I'd seen it back in 2005.

These days, I'm almost as interested in photographing the spaces and displays that museums create as I am the art work. Those photograph better than paintings.

Does the Capitoline allow photos?

The work at the Borghese is pretty static, though they do have different shows. You can take pictures in the Capitaline as far as I know. I have, but they may have changed the rules. I think you're putting a lot of energy into this...let me suggest that you just go to both museums. It's worth your time. How many times do you go to Rome a year? So take advantage of it.

The Capitoline Museum does not allow photos. We had to check our cameras.

As for the Villa Borghese, how could one time be enough if a person had the chance to see those Berninis and Caravaggios yet again?

I guess I could try to find a guide or an audio tour for the Borghese and go again.

I was staying at the Intercontinental when I went and I recall it was a long walk even from that location.

This time, I'll be staying on Vittorio Emanuelle II so even a longer walk.

Yeah those sculptures at the Borghese made me realize that I prefer later sculpture than all those Roman antiquities in other museums.

Are you sure? I took a million photos in the Capitoline in June 2008. Saw others doing the same.

The Borghese did not allow photos though.

quote:

This time, I'll be staying on Vittorio Emanuelle II so even a longer walk.

The little electric bus No. 116 will sometimes take you to the door of the Galleria Borghese. At other times, it will take you pretty close. You can catch it near Campo de' Fiori or near the Pantheon.

Hi Tony,
I am not worried about my decisions! We will go with the flow, and I know that whatever my son and I do while we are in Rome next month will be memorable for him. Believe me, I am not putting a lot of energy into my choices! We have a global plan of things to see and do, and we will enjoy all of it.

DMae

I am very sure--was there April 2007. Maybe they just don't enforce it very well. They let us take photos in the courtyard with the huge pieces of the Constantine sculpture but then we had to turn the cameras in.

Hi Ginny,
Last summer when I visited the Captoline, I took tons of photos, without a flash, and so did several other people. On my previous visits I also took pictures there. Never at the Borghese though.

DMae

Never heard of this turning in your cameras business.

How would they enforce if you slipped a camera in a small bag?

Do they tell you you must turn in the camera BEFORE you buy tickets?

wco,
At the Borghese you have to check your bag, even a small handbag. If you put a camera in your pocket and pull it out to take a photo, one of the attendants in the rooms will see you. This happened on a tour I was on. The attendants were polite, but firm. "No foto."

At the Capitoline, one of the room attendants actually helped me to turn off the flash. My camera was brand new as I had dropped and broken mine and I had just purchased a new one. I hadn't learned how to use it yet.

DMae

What can I say? I guess it's just who's on the job that day. I must say I would feel uncomfortable taking photos if it was prohibited.

In the US, I've never been to a museum that allowed photography. I was surprised that the Vatican did allow non-flash photography except, I think, none at all in the Sistine Chapel.