Kathryn Occhipinti, MD, for Conversational Italian for Travelers books
Ciao a tutti! Today I am featuring one of my favorite bloggers and her unique insights about Rome.
About once a month (or so), I have been re-blogging posts that describe the lesser known places in Italy – or the more well-known viewed in a unique way – under the heading, “Your Italian Travel Tips.” The post for September was written by Cristina, who writes the blog “Un po’ di pepe~” in which she shares with us amazing photos of the Galleria Borghese, one of the lesser known museums in Italy, but in my mind a “must see” place for the visitor to Rome.
In her own words, Cristina says about herself and her blog:
My name is Cristina and I’m passionate about art and Italian culture. I was born in Orsara di Puglia, Italy, and immigrated to Canada with my parents when I was a young child. I love spending time in Italy, including Orsara, every year. In this blog, you will find all the things I like…..art, art history, Italian travel, history, traditions, folklore, food and language….along with my photos and images.
The name ‘Un po’ di pepe’ means ‘a bit of pepper’….because everything can use some spicing up! Iniziamo l’avventura! / Let’s start the adventure!
Cristina gives precise directions how to get to the Galleria Borghese, which feature my favorite piazza in Rome, itself worth the walk to see: the Piazza del Poplolo, the northern gateway to Rome, with its identical churches. I should mention also that the shopping just south of this piazza is incredible – local fashion designers that even make their own fabrics are still alive and well in Rome! I never leave Rome without a visit to this piazza and my favorite shops. So enjoy the spectacular images of the Galleria now and save Cristina’s directions to a fabulous part of Rome for later.
La Galleria Borghese was an opulent 17thCentury suburban home of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V. It was also home to his amazing personal art collection. In 1808, Prince Camillo Borghese was forced to sell the Roman sculpture and antiquities collection to his brother in law Napoleon, for below what it was worth. 340 or so pieces, including the Borghese Gladiator from Ephesus are now in the Borghese collection at the Musée du Louvre. The Borghese estate in Roma was sold to the Italian government in 1902 and turned into a museum and urban park.
Even though I go to Roma every year, I had yet to visit la Galleria Borghese. It requires booking tickets in advance, which is something I really do not like doing. Prebooking interferes with my spontaneity! I tried to book online 2 and 3 years ago when I had a longer time in Roma, but kept getting…
Grazie Kathryn for sharing the love. La Galleria Borghese really is worth visiting, and leaving in a ‘Caravaggio/Bernini coma’ is pretty amazing! Ciao, Cristina
La Galleria Borghese was an opulent 17thCentury suburban home of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V. It was also home to his amazing personal art collection. In 1808, Prince Camillo Borghese was forced to sell the Roman sculpture and antiquities collection to his brother in law Napoleon, for below what it was worth. 340 or so pieces, including the Borghese Gladiator from Ephesus are now in the Borghese collection at the Musée du Louvre. The Borghese estate in Roma was sold to the Italian government in 1902 and turned into a museum and urban park.
Conversational Italian! 
It looks so great!
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It really is a fantastic place! The true meaning of bellissimo!
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Grazie Kathryn for sharing the love. La Galleria Borghese really is worth visiting, and leaving in a ‘Caravaggio/Bernini coma’ is pretty amazing! Ciao, Cristina
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