I know that you aren't allowed to take photos in the Borghese. I also understand that you have to check cameras, and even purses. My question...to anyone who has been there recently...is exactly what constitutes their "checkroom". Do they have lockers for which you get a key? Or are checked items just sitting on a shelf in a security area? As we will be carrying about $3500 worth of camera gear (between my husband and myself) I do not relish just leaving it on a shelf; if that's the case we may have to skip the Borghese; or one of us go in while the other waits outside. If you get a lockers with keys, I can live with that.

Please advise...I'd like to make my reservation soon, but this is really a critical issue!

Janet, as of two years ago, they're behind a manned counter. We handed our stuff to the employees who stored it in an area (cubbies if I recall) behind them (in another room), and gave us a check (similar to a coat check). The only ones w/ access to that area were the employees.

As I recall, the Borghese does not have lockers with keys. Your bags are kept in a secure holding area, which is staffed.

- Marie

Not to worry. I was there last September. You simply turn in your camera etc. to staff and they give you a receipt. It seemed very organized and secure to me. The Borghese is great, so don't miss it.

I agree with everyone else. The procedure was simple and safe, and the Borghese is fantastic! Ruth

Thanks everyone for the info, not sure what we'll do. Personally I'm not much for museums and I could happily skip it, but my spouse really wants to go. As a photographer, the camera issue is a big one for me...even though it sounds fairly secure...perhaps we'll leave it for the last day so that if something happens, it will be at the end of the trip! Another possibility is leaving the equipment at the apartment and then returning to pick it up, but that would really be a haul, as the apartment (near Campo di Fiori) is nowhere near the museum. What a pain!

I like museums and sometimes my wife does not feel like going so she'll sit at a sidewalk cafe and have coffee and read while I go through a museum. She is not bored and I get to see the museum. In this case you could take a break and watch the camera equipment while your hubby does the museum. Just an option.

Like Scruffy's wife, Chris ended up relaxing in the park with Sammi, while Becky and I toured the museum. That's always another option.

Having seen some of your beautiful photographs posted on line, I understand why you would be anxious about your gear!

But even though you're not much for museums, I URGE you to experience the Galleria Borghese. The Bernini statues especially are breathtaking. The place is amazing and in my book an absolute "must see" in Rome.

quote:

The Bernini statues especially are breathtaking. The place is amazing and in my book an absolute "must see" in Rome.

Ditto! Even if you are not normally a museum-goer, give this place a try. The Bernini sculptures alone are worth the trip to Rome. If you don't want to go up upstairs to see the paintings, then don't. Afterwards you can go outside and have a wander through the very extensive park-like grounds.
- Marie

Another vote. Don’t miss the Borghese. Yes, the Bernini’s, but there is much more weahth: Canova’s Paolina is astonishing. 3 or 4 Caravaggios all in one small room, and Carreggio’s Danoe is too shocking to miss. The biggest treat is the setting. A stunningly renewed palace in a gorgeous serene park setting. I checked an expensive camera. It is all very organized and safe. DON'T forget you need a reservation. A must.

Thank you everyone, don't worry I don't suppose I will skip the Borghese...it was just an idle thought I will figure out a way. Most likely I will make the reservation for the morning of our last full day...or at least towards the end of the week...maybe thursday. That way the bulk of my photography will already be done. And the gardens and park are definitely on my list as we want to do a little birding there... Anyway it seems that everyone felt it was quite secure and that makes me feel a little better!

There is a bus route that run from the Campo dei Fiori up to the Borghese gardens. The buses are those small electric ones. The stop at the Borghese is down the walkway from the Villa. That would allow you to leave your cameras at your apartment and get back to pick them up more quickly than walking if you still are concerned about leaving them at the checked bags area.

Your photographs are stunning!

Diane

Thank you Diane, that's a great tip about the bus...we were thinking taxi (to get there for an early morning reservation.) I'll look into the bus route.

Ciao Janet,
It's the 116, a little electric number that plies the narrow lanes of the centro. Goes right through Campo de' Fiori. Drps you off 600 yards from the entrance. I want to say about a 30-40 minute ride. Alternatively, it's a lovely hour, hour and half stroll from Via dei Pelligrini over to Galleria Borghese. In fact, it's possible to walk right past Obika'...

Buon Viaggio,
Anthony and Jennifer

Is there no way to smuggle a digital camera in for discreet use without flash?

I've tried doing that surrepetitiously in a number of museums (not the Borghese) - a custodian always seems to come round the corner at the wrong time!

Jonathan

Sure, I try it too, everywhere, after suppressing the fake shutter noise the camera makes.

The camera is small enough (Olympus UZ C-750) to stuff in a pocket. I think I'll try.

Would anyone venture a guess for the travel time from the origin of 116 just off Via Guiulia near the Ponte Mazzini to the Borghese gardens at the end of the 116 line? The start of 116 is a short walk from our apt door and I believe we will attempt to do a Saturday entry at 9am. The web site says make sure to pick up tickets 30 min before entry (they open at 8:30). Want to include some "something can go wrong time".

I tried goofing around with the ATAC Rome online route calculator to see if I could estimate the travel time, similar to what the Florence site does. It appears I cannot just find the 116 line and observe the stop times from start to finish. When I plan a route from the bridge to the gardens, it sends me to 116, then 30, then 714, then 70, then 61 for a total trip time of 108 minutes, not including waiting for buses. Surely there is an easier way to read the bus schedules by line number?

I have tried numberous times to bring up the Lines, maps and timetables page, but it alsways returns me to the route planner, sans timetables.

Thanks!

Two years ago when I visited Borghese Gallery, I had to check in my $6,000 worth of photo gear. That the risk when you want to carry photo gear, which I sure you are well aware of.
Since I was traveling alone it was safer to check it in at Borghese, instead of leaving it in the hotel rooom. If you are concern, see if can lock your camera bag. I use the same locks for my suitcase. I seen people check in their video cameras, just the camera and it not even in a bag.

Personal I think you will be missing something if you do visit with your husband.

Bill

Thanks Bill, actually I'd thought of that too...locking the camera bag or backpack. I do have a lock for my camera backpack and while I won't be carrying the full camera bag around the streets, my husband will have a smaller knapsack we can put the cameras in.

And I'm glad to hear that you felt secure enough to check your valuable equipment. So everyone has allayed my fears, we'll both go!

Now I just have to get reservations...!