Galleria Colonna — Attraction in Rome

While on our honeymoon in Rome, our first museum visit was the Colonna Palace which is one of the oldest and largest private palaces in Rome. It was spectacular! The Colonna Palace is a true gem in Rome and one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip! The paintings, radiant marbles, frescoes, chandeliers and my favorite, the golden framed mirrors with magnificent paintings of flowers and mischievous winged angels. We met a beautiful museum guide at the Palazzo Colonna named Rebecca Harden. Rebecca had a wealth of information to share and was so generous with her time. She informed us of all the artists who contributed to the spectacular beauty of the gallery including Pintoricchio, Reni, Rosa, Tura, Carracci, Tintoretto, Bronzino, Veronese, Guercino and Vanvitelli. Rebecca also willingly shared the creation of my favorite superb mirrors and how Carlo Maratta, Giovanni Stanch and Mario de’ Fiori collaborated to create these masterpieces. I asked Rebecca if she would jump into a picture with us in front of the mischievous angels and she was more than happy to join us. Rebecca also informed us of the other areas of the palace which were delightful to observe. Then, as we were strolling along, we actually met the Prince Don Prospero Colonna! Prince Prospero Colonna was very gracious and kind. We told him how it was our honeymoon and first time in Rome, Italy and how we absolutely loved his palace.The Prince then agreed to take a photograph with us. Again, one of the highlights of our entire honeymoon. We continued on our journey as there is so much to see at this palace it is hard to share it all. Not only can you spend hours within the walls of the palace, but outside there are awe-inspiring gardens. We will definitely make it back soon to Rome, Italy and the Colonna Palace.Thank you Rebecca Harden and Prince Don Prospero Colonna for contributing to make our honeymoon even...

The Palazzo Colonna is a palatial block of buildings in central Rome, Italy, at the base of the Quirinal Hill, and adjacent to the church of Santi Apostoli. It is built in part over the ruins of an old Roman serapeum, and it has belonged to the prominent Colonna family for over twenty generations.

The first part of the palace dates from the 13th century, and tradition holds that the building hosted Dante during his visit to Rome. The first documentary mention notes that the property hosted Cardinals Giovanni and Giacomo Colonna in the 13th century. It was also home to Cardinal Oddone Colonna before he ascended to the papacy as Pope Martin V in 1417.

With his passing, the palace was sacked during feuds, and the main property passed into the hands of the Della Rovere family. It returned to the Colonna family when Marcantonio I Colonna married Lucrezia Gara Franciotti Della Rovere, the niece of Pope Julius II. The Colonna family's alliance to the Habsburg power likely protected the palace from looting during the Sack of Rome (1527).

Starting with Filippo Colonna (1578–1639), many changes have refurbished and create a unitary complex around a central garden. Architects including Girolamo Rainaldi and Paolo Marucelli labored on specific projects. Only in the 17th and 18th centuries were the main facades completed, one facing Piazza SS. Apostoli and the other facing Via della Pilotta. Much of this design was completed by Antonio del Grande (including the grand gallery) and Girolamo Fontana (decoration of the gallery). In the 18th century, the long low facade designed by Nicola Michetti, with later additions by Paolo Posi with taller corner blocks (facing Piazza SS. Apostoli), was constructed and recalls earlier structures resembling a...

A Hidden Gem of Roman Grandeur at Galleria Colonna:

If you’re looking for an unforgettable and slightly lesser-known cultural experience in Rome, Galleria Colonna is a must. We visited on the first Saturday of May, arriving around 9:30 a.m., and were pleasantly surprised to find that no advance tickets were necessary — we walked right in, purchased our tickets on site with no hassle at all.

I was traveling with someone who has a disability, and the staff was incredibly responsive and accommodating. I had emailed them in advance to inquire about accessibility, and they replied quickly with clear and helpful information. Once on-site, they were kind, attentive, and made sure our visit was comfortable.

As for the gallery itself — it’s breathtaking. A palace still technically owned and partially lived in by the Colonna family, whose history stretches back for centuries. The rooms are lavishly decorated, with stunning ceilings, classical sculptures, and monumental paintings that speak to both artistic and political legacy.

Walking through the main gallery feels like stepping into a scene from a Baroque dream. The hall of mirrors, the antique marble statues, the masterful paintings — it’s immersive and beautifully preserved.

What struck me the most was how intimate and personal the experience felt, far from the heavy crowds of more touristic sites. You get the sense that you’re truly in a living piece of history, one that is still lovingly maintained by the family whose name it bears.

Highly recommend this visit — especially if you’re interested in history, art, or architecture. It’s an elegant, peaceful, and enriching experience right in the...