The Basilicas are open from 7:00 in the morning until about 6:00pm.  Most of the smaller churches close around noon and reopen later in the afternoon and usually stay open until early evening. Many of the  churches are equipped with coin operated lights to illuminate the paintings, which helps tremendously to see and appreciate some of these beautiful works of art.

The Roma Archeologia Card allows access to the following museums and archeological sites:

• The Palazzo Massimo
• The Palazzo Altemps
• The Crypta Balbi
• The Baths of Diocletian
• The Colosseum
• The Palatine
• The Baths of Caracalla
• The Villa dei Quintili
• The Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella

The cost is 20 Euros and valid for seven days after your first use the card. The card is available at the museums/sites or at the APT (Rome Tourist Board Visitors Center) in Via Pargi 5. A great value for those who are planning on focusing on the Roman ruins and museums that specilize in Roman artifacts.

The Burcardo Theater Museum has a fascinating collection of Italian theater memorabilia housed in an historic palazzo.

The Capitoline Museums (The Museo del Palazzo dei Conservatori and The Museo nuovo) are perched on a hill with a commanding view of the Foro Romano (the Roman Forum). Both museums have splendid collections and there is the added charm of the Piazza del Campidoglio. The piazza is based on a design by Michelangelo and is simply breathtaking.  The website has an English version.

The Galleria Barberini has a fine collection of art spanning from the 13th - 16th Centuries. The palazzo also sports a spectacular oval spiral staircase designed by Borromini. For a spectacular view of the facade of the palazzo, walk along Via delle Quattro Fontain at night when the the palazzo is lit by floodlights.

The Galleria Borghese has exquisite sculptures by Bernini and beautiful paintings by Caravaggio and like the Vatican Museums it is popular, which is why admittance is by reservation only. Your ticket will have a time when you may enter the museum. Only 360 people are admitted every 2 hours, so the time slots fill up quickly. I usually purchase my ticket the day before I plan on visiting. The ticket office opens at 9:00 am. The museum is closed on Mondays. The web site has an English version. During the high season it is a good idea to book in advance. The reason I mention this is because a friend of mine just got back from a long weekend in Rome and was disappointed because he wanted to to visit the Borghese, but couldn’t because the museum was booked up until May 20th.

The Palazzo Doria Pamphilj and gallery are unique in that they are still owned by the family and not the state. The collection includes Velezquez’s Portrait of Innocent X. The Gallery of Mirrors is quite spectacular. The frescoes are of the Labors of Hercules.

Galleria Nazionale D’Arte Moderna encompasses works of the art from the 19th and 20th centuries.  The museum boasts a superb collection of paintings and sculptures along with a good  restaurant to have lunch.

The Museo Nazionale Romano (National Roman Museum) has one of the best collections of ancient Roman art and artifacts. The collection is housed in five locations: the Terme di Diocleziano (Baths of Diocletian), Aula Ottagona, Crypta Balbi, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (houses the majority of the museums collection)and the Palazzo Altemps (houses a number of the collection’s Roman  statues). The Palazzo Altemps dates from 1480 with subsequent  additions. The  palazzo was renovated in the 1990’s for use as a museum.

The Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums) is one of the top museums in the world for the simple fact it contains some of the best art from the Renaissance including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms It is also one of the most popular museums in Rome. It’s a good idea to get there early. Check their website for opening and closing times, which vary depending on the season.

The Palazzo Venezia (Museo di Palazzo). Besides the permanent collection of Byzantine and medieval art the museums also hosts temporary exhibitions from time to time.

The Villa Farnesina was built for Agostino Chigi, a wealthy banker, as a entertainment villa. The finest artists of the Renaissance were employed in decorating this captivating pleasure palace. Balassare Peruzzi was the architect and later went on to finish St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of the beautiful frescoes that decorate the walls are by Raphael.

The Scuderie del Quirinale are the old stables of the Quirinale Palace. The building has been renovated for  temporary art exhibitions. There is a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee after seeing the exhibition. For more information including the current and future exhibitions click on the the link above. You can purchase tickets in advance online. Another venue for temporary exhibits is the The Palazzo Ruspoli on the Via del Corso. This magnificent palazzo was once the home of the Duchess of St. Leu who was Napoleon III’s mother. One other venue I would like to mention is the Cloisters of the church of Santa Maria della Pace, designed by Bramante. In 1997 the cloisters were renovated to house a culture center and to how host temporary exhibitions. For more information (in English) click on the link.

Web www.goingeuro.com